Ride-hailing platforms Bolt and inDrive are moving to strengthen their presence in Nigeria following Uber’s exit from the country after about 12 years of operations.

Uber ended its Nigerian operations on September 2, citing evolving business priorities and a shift in its investment focus across Africa.

The exit has created an opportunity for competing platforms to attract riders, drivers and investors previously connected to Uber.

inDrive said Nigeria remained a key African market for the company, noting that its active user base had continued to grow year-on-year.

The company said it would continue investing in service quality, safety, technology and local communities, while expanding its local offering through services including Economy and Courier.

Bolt also reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria, saying it would continue providing mobility solutions for riders, creating earning opportunities for drivers and supporting the country’s mobility ecosystem.

Teddy Appa-Dankyi, Senior General Manager, Bolt West Africa, said the company had built a strong community of riders and driver-partners and would continue strengthening its operations.

inDrive described Uber as a significant competitor and said its departure had come as a surprise.

The company also invited Uber drivers and mobility investors affected by the exit to join its platform.

It said its model allowed drivers and passengers to negotiate fares, while its service fee was about 10 per cent, which it described as one of the lowest in the market.

Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON-NG) called for immediate dialogue over the impact of Uber’s departure on drivers and riders.

The union also called for stronger regulation covering fares, commissions and deactivation procedures, as well as greater protection for workers in the ride-hailing sector.