Uber discontinues operations in Côte d’Ivoire after six years

After six years of operating in Côte d’Ivoire, Uber has made the decision to pull out of the market, effective September 25, 2025. The move marks the end of Uber’s tenure in the Ivorian urban mobility sector that began in December 2019, catering to city dwellers in need of safe and dependable transportation alternatives. Although the company expressed regrets for any inconvenience caused by its departure, it did not provide specific reasons for its decision to exit the market.

One plausible explanation for Uber’s retreat could be the intensified competition it faced from local and regional competitors such as Indrive, Heetch, and Yango, along with the pressure from traditional taxi services. Moreover, Uber’s pricing strategy, which was perceived as relatively high by some customers, might have hindered its expansion, particularly in a market where more cost-effective alternatives were available. Analysts also suggest that Uber encountered challenges in adapting its business model to the stringent regulatory environment in Côte d’Ivoire.

Despite being officially authorized to operate in the Ivorian market alongside other ride-hailing services like Heetch and Yango by the Regulatory Authority for Domestic Transport and the Directorate General of Land Transport and Circulation in January 2025, Uber’s decision to pull out indicates underlying challenges that the company faced. This move is reminiscent of its suspension of operations in Morocco in February 2018, as Uber cited a lack of clarity regarding its role within the existing transportation framework.

Uber’s exit from the Ivorian market has created opportunities for its competitors to strengthen their positions and attract the customer base that the company leaves behind. Market players like Russia’s Yango, France’s Heetch, local platform Indrive, and traditional taxi services are all expected to capitalize on Uber’s departure to enhance their market presence and secure a larger share of the burgeoning Ivorian ride-hailing industry. An estimate from AutoMag suggests that there were between 5,000 and 6,000 active drivers in the Ivorian ride-hailing sector in 2024, indicating significant participation in this market segment.

In light of the World Bank’s report from February 2029, which highlighted the high volume of daily trips in Abidjan and the substantial financial expenditure on transportation by households, it is evident that there is considerable growth potential for the remaining ride-hailing platforms in Côte d’Ivoire. With more than 10 million daily trips and significant annual spending on transport, the Ivorian market presents a lucrative opportunity for companies willing to navigate the regulatory landscape and cater to the urban population’s mobility needs.