Uber’s investment in Nigeria grew drivers’annual payout to ₦6.1 billion

A report has shown that Uber, a global mobility platform, has invested a total of ₦34 billion into the Nigerian local market. This has, in turn, boosted the collective annual payout for drivers in the country to ₦6.1 billion as of 2023.

This was revealed during its Lagos Road Mobility Summit held in partnership with the State Ministry of Transport. The event was designed to advance dialogue on safer, more inclusive transport. 

Themed “Reimagining an Inclusive Road Safety Strategy”, it brought together senior government officials, including representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Transport, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and the World Bank’s SSATP team, alongside regulators, global safety experts, and private sector leaders.

The event also marked the launch of Uber’s Nigeria Economic Impact Report, conducted by Public First. This report revealed that Uber contributed an estimated ₦34 billion to Nigeria’s economy in 2023, with riders enjoying a consumer surplus valued at nearly ₦500 billion through time, cost, and convenience savings.

Key voices included the Honourable Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, represented by the Director of Transport Operations, Engr. Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, Lateef Ramoni from the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies. 

International perspectives were also shared, with Marisela Ponce de Leon Valdes, Senior Transport Specialist and SSATP’s Road Safety Pillar Lead, presenting insights from the newly released Africa Road Safety Status Report 2025.

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A Decade of Transformation: Uber’s Impact on Nigeria’s Tech Revolution

To mark its 10th anniversary in the country, Uber commissioned a new economic impact report by Public First to analyse its journey and its impact in Nigeria. 

Speaking on the report, Tope Akinwunmi, Uber’s Country Manager for Nigeria, stated that the company’s journey has been one of growth, empowerment, and transformation.

“Since launching in 2014, we have seen the significant impact that e-hailing can have on an economy with untapped potential. Accessible, reliable, and affordable transportation options have not only helped to transform mobility but also empowered drivers with flexible earning opportunities, helping them achieve greater financial independence in a complex, often challenging, but burgeoning economy,” he said.

He added that the report outlines how Uber has become a key contributor to Nigeria’s economy, with an estimated ₦34 billion infused into the local market. This direct investment has been accompanied by a significant boost to drivers’ earnings, with the platform enabling them to collectively earn an additional ₦6.1 billion annually. 

This, according to Akinwumi, demonstrates Uber’s commitment to uplifting the individuals and communities within which they operate.

Empowering Drivers on their own terms

For thousands of Nigerians, Uber has become a lifeline for both income and independence. Drivers using the app earned ₦6.1 billion more in 2023, with average earnings sitting at 34% higher than their next best alternative. 

The report also found that flexibility, the freedom to decide when and how to work, carried an additional financial value of ₦6.3 billion. Almost nine in ten drivers (88%) said this flexibility helps them balance their family responsibilities.

A driver in Abuja explained, “With Uber, I choose my hours. I can take my children to school, then drive during the day, and still be home in the evening. It gives me control over my life.”

“Uber is more than a way to move from A to B; it’s a platform that empowers people to shape their own futures,” said Deepesh Thomas, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa. “From drivers who value the flexibility of earning on their own terms, to women who feel safer getting home at night, to local businesses reaching more customers, Uber is proud to be part of Nigeria’s growth story.”

The company’s focus on providing affordable, low-cost options has been crucial to its success.

The report also highlights the introduction of Uber Go, a budget-friendly alternative that is 35% cheaper, which has made safe and reliable rides accessible to a wider demographic of Nigerians. 

This improved ease and safety of movement has also generated an estimated ₦5.4 billion in additional value for Nigeria’s tourism industry.