Category Archives: Nigeria

Nigeria, South Africa, Uber Partners and Drivers

Uber in Africa: Company’s Expansion and What this Means

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Uber Technologies Inc. is well known for its aggressive mode of taking over territories. The company has operations in over 500 cities across 81 countries of the world. Uber’s die-hard attitude towards expansion and its ability to be at loggerheads with resisting governments could be why it remains an industry leader today. Uber in Africa is proving to be a formidable force.  The company continues to enjoy rapid growth in major Africa cities. Uber launched in Africa in 2012 beginning with Johannesburg. The company has since spread its operations into 14  African cities including Lagos, Dar Es Salaam and Pretoria.

This doesn’t mean the ride share giant has enjoyed smooth sailing while increasing its global foot print in Africa. Local taxi drivers have expressed both verbal and physical displeasure at Uber’s growing popularity in Africa. Uber drivers in Kenya and South Africa have faced abuse in the hands of local taxi drivers. This setbacks have only spurred Uber on as the company continues to seek ways to attract more riders onto its platform.

Besides providing alternative means of transport for Africans and empowering willing drivers, Uber will also introduce some of its other popular services like
UberEATS, UberRUSH and UberPOOL. This was revealed by Alon Lits- General Manager of Uber in Sub-Saharan Africa to YPO about Uber’s expansion plans. 

It is equally important to note that unemployment is a big problem in most African countries.  By launching Uber in Africa, the company will provide job opportunities to thousands of people.

Despite some of the opposition Uber has faced in Africa, there aren’t key competitors who operate exactly the same way as Uber does in Africa. Other companies such as Snappcab in South Africa and Taxify which launched in Cape Town and Nigeria are struggling to meet up. Uber continues to enjoy unparalleled success in Africa by revolutionizing the Taxi industry.  While trying to increase rider patronage, Uber in Africa slashed fares in Kenya to make its services more attractive to consumers. This move met with retaliation from Uber drivers who decided to protest what they felt was unfair. The disgruntled drivers went on strike in August of 2016 protesting the 35 percent cut in prices introduced by the ride-hailing service in East Africa’s largest economy. However, Uber has since resumed operations in Kenya and continues to battle it out with home grown competitor- Little launched by Safaricom.

While touting the progress made so far by Uber in Africa, Lits reported that: “In 2014, we had a million trips booked, during the first six months of 2015 two million trips were booked, and we have seen the trend continue.”

African countries are known for their warm reception of foreign investors who try to empower their citizens. The market is welcoming and with the government ready to support foreign investment, it means even easier operations for Uber.

We look forward to other success stories as Uber in Africa continues to make its way around the continent one city at a time.

 

Sign up to have our blog posts (catering to Uber Partners and Drivers) delivered to your email every week!  In exchange for signing up we will give you our highly rated report with suggestions to help you increase your Uber Revenue. We cover trending topics relevant to the success of your business as an Uber car owner or driver, as well as cutting edge improvements on how to improve the management of your business: like how to better control costs and increase your revenue. Thanks again for visiting! We look forward to hearing from you about your experience and being a part of your new growing business!

 

 

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Nigeria

Uber in Nigeria – Company launches Marketplace In Nigeria

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Uber is rapidly becoming a known player in the African transportation industry. This is true especially in a country like Nigeria, where Uber operates in two states: Lagos and Abuja. In addition to the value that it provides to passengers, Uber in Nigeria has created another avenue through which the unemployed can become business owners thereby boosting the economy of the nation as a whole. These drivers do not only get to work flexible schedules but they also make good money while driving.
For those who require an extra source of income, Uber in Nigeria is proving to be a reliable way to earn more money.

The journey towards taking advantage of the opportunities Uber is offering in Nigeria is generally an easy process. However, many who wish to drive or partner with Uber in Nigeria have issues with finding an Uber-approved vehicle. In clearer terms, not a lot of people can afford to buy the cars that meet Uber’s standards. Uber only accepts vehicles that aren’t older than 2009, and also shouldn’t have racked up to 100,000km (that’s 62137.119 in miles). In Nigeria, cars like these run into millions of naira, at least over 2 million naira. To solve this issue in Nigeria, Uber has put up a marketplace where drivers can get cars to use for their Uber business. Click this link for a list of Uber approved cars in Lagos

 

What is Uber Marketplace

Like we see in some US cities, Australia and in many other Uber territories, Uber Marketplace is a platform that is built to help connect potential drivers with partners who are willing to help finance their car purchases, get insurance and shoulder several other costs that may come with getting the car up and running. To achieve this, Uber has announced that they will be partnering with CAR4U as their very first Marketplace partner in Nigeria.

 

About Car4U

CAR4U is a vehicle marketplace that can help Uber partners with their car needs. Car4U is offering a long term leasing deal between 36 – 48 months (depends on the type of car). This deal covers maintenance and comprehensive insurance. Drivers who use this service can expect to get cars ranging from the sleek Hyundai Elantra to Kia Cerato, VW Polo, Nissan Almera, and Nissan Sentra.

 

 

Sign up to have our blog posts (catering to Uber Partners and Drivers) delivered to your email every week!  In exchange for signing up we will give you our highly rated report with suggestions to help you increase your Uber Revenue. We cover trending topics relevant to the success of your business as an Uber car owner or driver, as well as cutting edge improvements on how to improve the management of your business: like how to better control costs and increase your revenue. Thanks again for visiting! We look forward to hearing from you about your experience and being a part of your new growing business!

 

 

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Nigeria, Uber Drivers, Uber Partner, Uber Partners and Drivers

Uber Cash Payment in Nigeria

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For Nigerians, the year 2016 was fraught with astronomical rise in foreign exchange rates. Most businesses had to pay three times the normal amount for goods being imported into the country as foreign exchange continued its steady rise leaving the Naira value at an all time low.

Uber, who began operations in Nigeria in July 2014, was not exempted from the repercussions of the falling Naira and faced some backlash from Nigerian users. Uber users were charged with higher rates than were presented on receipts with the difference sometimes doubling the price of the fare. In a bid to explain reasons behind discrepancies seen by consumers in payments receipts, Uber released a FAQ on the company’s News platform. Uber tried to explain that banks were processing the fare for trips undertaken in Nigeria in dollars due to Uber’s international structure. Nigerian Uber users were charged in dollars and sometimes charged transaction fees by banks. However, Nigerians refused to be appeased and took to boycotting Uber.

Known for its aggressive stance and desire to win at all costs, Uber decided to roll out the Uber cash payment option for Nigerians. Nigeria joins the 6 other countries in the world where Uber allows users pay in cash.

This development  (Uber cash payment) would give users who are not accustomed to the use of ATM cards, an opportunity to take part in the transportation revolution by Uber. Uber Nigeria’s General Manager Ebi Atawodi issued a statement, highlighting how important paying with cash is to the people in Nigeria, and how it is an exciting opportunity for Uber to experiment the effectiveness of the cash option. She says: “We want everyone to enjoy the hassle-free convenience of ordering a safe, reliable ride at the touch of a button. This cash experiment in Lagos will give us some great insights and help us develop our technology to best meet the needs of the local consumers.”

 

How It Works

  • Open the Uber app and select “SET PICKUP LOCATION”
  • Look towards the bottom of the screen where your card details are displayed and tap on the card
  • In the menu that pops up, select “CASH”. You can always select your preferred method of payment whenever requesting a new trip
  • Request your pickup

 

How Does This Affect Drivers?

Although the Uber cash payment option might be a welcome improvement for Uber users in Lagos, it might pose a source of concern for drivers. Issues like driver safety and the need for drivers to always have change for fares comes to mind. Before this, one of the reasons why Uber was always considered safe for drivers is that they never had to carry too much money while making trips. That way, they were unimpressive targets for robbery. It makes me wonder what might happen now that they have to carry money about.

However, drivers need to figure a way around this development. This could entail making quick stops at the bank to deposit cash at intervals or keeping fares out of sight.

Uber has made it easier for drivers and riders to resolve issues surrounding change. Uber insists ride fares would be rounded up to the nearest hundred. However, drivers still have to carry a few hundreds to ensure issues do not arise.

The Uber Cash payment option may not be the most convenient way for drivers, but it is a fair experiment if it would get more riders on the road and subsequently increase business for all drivers

 

My Take

Uber’s willingness to bend the rules to ensure that they provide seamless service is worth applauding. Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, the most populous and as far as we know, the biggest and it will be a shame if Uber did not put all efforts in ensuring that Nigeria’s potential is maximized. Putting consumers first, is always a successful way to run a business.

Do you want to become an Uber driver in Lagos, Nigeria? Sign up through the Uber website – using our link: uberkit.net/signup. (You get a signup bonus if you use our link, which has our signup referral code already pre-populated).

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Nigeria, Uber Drivers, Uber Partner, Uber Partners and Drivers

All You Need To Know About Uber Abuja

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Uber’s innovative platform connects drivers with riders in real time, at the touch of a button. Whether you’re making business moves, going out for a fun-time or having a special date, Uber provides an affordable, safe and reliable means of partaking in just about any activity with just a few steps. The ride share giant launched in Nigeria in July 2014 and is operating within two of the country’s mega cities – Lagos and Abuja. Being a country where residents focus on the use of private vehicles and a taxi system that is mostly operating within an informal market, Uber seems to be carving a niche for itself. Nigeria is slowly but steadily opening its door to the improvement that comes with rideshare.

 

What Drivers Should Know

The first thing intending drivers have to do to get started is to create a partner profile. You can do this by visiting partners.uber.com. Once this is done, you would be able to carry out any of the required steps for Uber Abuja. After the account is created, you have to do other preliminary set-ups like:

    • Set Up Bank Details: Enter your Bank Account details (current account only) at vault.uber.com
    • Set Up Vehicle: Add your vehicle(s) type (s) and upload the documents you see below

 

Required Documents

  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Hackney Permit Vehicle License
  • Comprehensive vehicle insurance including third party and passenger liability insurance (see here for approved policies)
  • Certificate of Ownership
  • Certificate of roadworthiness – (Purchase Invoice if vehicle is brand new)
  • Tint Permit (if vehicle is tinted)
  • Tax Identification Number (TIN)

 

Screening Test for Drivers

Instead of background checks, all intending drivers have to undergo a psychometric analysis for Uber Abuja.  According to Uber, this screening test is used by other leading global organisations and is proven to mitigate the likelihood of misdemeanours. The test which can only be completed once is used to check driver’s integrity, truth score, acuity, honesty and character. These tests have proven to be more effective in detecting potentially problematic drivers and avoiding issues on the platform.

Where: Ventures Platform, 29 Mambilla street, off Aso drive. Former US Embassy, Abuja

 

New Partners Info Session

All partners have to attend a New Partners info session.

Uber Abuja Partners hold their session on Mondays at 12:30pm or Wednesdays and Fridays at Regus, Rivers House, 4th Floor, Building 11, Plot 83, Ralph Shodehinde Street, Central Business District, Opposite Ministry of Finance, Abuja.

 

Schedule a vehicle Inspection

To ensure the safety of your vehicle and ascertain that it would not pose a threat to passengers’ safety, all new Uber partners/drivers have to book a vehicle inspection. The inspection has to be carried out by VisaCover. Visit this site to book an appointment.

Locations for inspection

  • Total Service Station: Shehu Shagari Way, by Ribadu Diko Junction, Asokoro
  • Total Service Station: Herbert Macaulay way, Wuse, Zone 5 Opposite.
    Landmark: Sky Memorial Plaza Abuja

 

Register for an onboarding session

The next thing to do is register for an onboarding session. You can do that at the site provided here. This onboarding process will help finalize all arrangements and bring on drivers to the platform.

 

Matchmaking Session

Not driving? Then sign up for the matchmaking session. Here, drivers are matched with partners who do not want to drive but want other people to drive using their cars. Every Uber Abuja partner will have to do their own final screening.

Matchmaking can be done online or offline.

Offline location

– Ventures Platform, 29 Mambilla street, off Aso drive. Former US Embassy. Monday to Thursday at 4:30pm prompt! No need for booking.

Online location

Uber Abuja Partners (vehicle owners) can list their vehicle leasing or rental deals on our UberFinder site: uber-finder.com. Drivers will visit this site as well and fill in their details. Please note that only registered drivers can apply.

 

My View

More than a year after the Lagos launch, Uber decided to launch in another Nigerian city where you can find a more promising set of users who would have the need for an Uber ride – Abuja fits this description as it is the capital city of Nigeria. You would be glad to know that the days of standing on the streets to hail a taxi in Abuja are over.

From now on, all you need to do is download your Uber app and signup. Input pickup and drop-off information and the details of your driver will be sent to you. Sit back and wait for them to arrive,  or you can schedule your ride in advance by using the app Kommen.

 

That is all you need to know about Uber in Abuja, Nigeria.

 

Sign up to have our blog posts (catering to Uber Partners and Drivers) delivered to your email every week!  In exchange for signing up we will give you our highly rated report with suggestions to help you increase your Uber Revenue. We cover trending topics relevant to the success of your business as an Uber car owner or driver, as well as cutting edge improvements on how to improve the management of your business: like how to better control costs and increase your revenue. Thanks again for visiting! We look forward to hearing from you about your experience and being a part of your new growing business!

 

 

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Nigeria, Uber Partners and Drivers

Passengers Review: Using Uber in Nigeria

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There are millions of Uber users across the globe. Uber’s popularity in certain cities is sometimes dependent on what these users have to say after patronizing the service. This is why we are welcoming passenger reviews from every location where Uber is available. Today’s contributor is Uberkit.net’s very own writer and co-editor, Ola John. He will be sharing with us his experience with Uber services in Nigeria.

 

Ola John’s Experience

I can describe my experience with Uber’s services in Nigeria in a sentence – Good service overall. I find it commendable that Uber has a growing presence in a country where most of its citizens own their own vehicles.  Even more importantly, i have to rave about the quality of service of Uber in Nigeria. Whenever i place an Uber ride request, I have never been picked up by a car that would pass as a regular vehicle. Most of the Uber cars are high-end vehicles with very dutiful drivers. I have also never had strong reasons to rate any ride below 5 stars, so I feel Uber’s services in Nigeria can be considered pretty impressive on a large scale.

 

Availability

I can’t exactly say that Uber in Nigeria is always available. In my own experience, I found that more drivers are available on weekends than on weekdays, and even more drivers are on the road between the hours of 8pm and 11pm. 40 percent of the times i had tried to hail an Uber via the app, there were no Uber drivers available and i resorted to other public means of transportation. I don’t find this worrisome since I understand that a service like Uber would take some time to become a norm in a country like Nigeria. However, there is a user end agreement that has to be met since there’s a concern about reliability/availability.

 

Issues with Surge

I have never had to ride while there was a surge. This is not because there hasn’t been any, it’s just because I can be very protective of my wallet. I found that surges are quite frequent in Nigeria. This is related to a possible low number of drivers. I have seen surges up to 3x the regular fare and a lasting period of over 45 minutes. I have also experienced a situation where there was surge and I decided to use public transportation while monitoring the Uber app as we moved past various locations. I found that this surge remained through out the ride until there were no longer any Uber cars available. This again raises the questions surrounding reliability and customer satisfaction.  

 

Pricing

I wouldn’t say emphatically that Uber is cheaper than taxis. In fact, Uber and taxis in Nigeria operate within the same price range. However, when I put into consideration the kind of cars and the level of comfort Uber provides, I realize I will have had to pay a taxi driver way more for that kind of service.

 

Security

Well, Uber drivers here do not look like threats to passenger security. Most of the Uber drivers that have picked me up are well-mannered and cultured. They are also conscious of the fact that they just picked up a rider and do not over-speed. Nigerian Uber drivers are very concerned about the rating feature. So far, I have not seen instances where Uber drivers in Nigeria were accused of violence.

 

Should You Use Uber in Nigeria?

Definitely! you can plan on using an Uber in Nigeria when you have a date and need to impress your companion, but you should have a backup. And If you are someone who has always been patronizing regular cabs, you really should switch to using Uber for better comfort at a convenient price. If you ever decide to leave your car at home for some reason, I encourage you to try using an Uber as i believe it is the closest alternative to a private vehicle experience. Uber is a really smart choice for people.  However in Nigeria, there are only select group of people who would consider a service like Uber a necessity or even affordable.  

I have been using the Uber service for a while here in Nigeria and these are the things I have noticed. Thank you for your listening.

 

Future versions of this post would feature reviews from users of the service in other parts of the world. If you wish to share your own review, you can contact us at [email protected] for more details.

 

Sign up to have our blog posts (catering to Uber Partners and Drivers) delivered to your email every week!  In exchange for signing up we will give you our highly rated report with suggestions to help you increase your Uber Revenue. We cover trending topics relevant to the success of your business as an Uber car owner or driver, as well as cutting edge improvements on how to improve the management of your business: like how to better control costs and increase your revenue. Thanks again for visiting! We look forward to hearing from you about your experience and being a part of your new growing business!

 

 

 

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Nigeria

Why Uber Nigeria Replaced BLACK with SELECT

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In June 2016, Uber Nigeria took a decision to end their UberBLACK service in the country. Uber in Nigeria decided to replace UberBLACK with UberSELECT. UberBLACK is an Uber service  where passengers are driven by professional chauffeurs in luxury cars. The fare that UberBLACK drivers receive from passengers is about twice the fare that an UberX driver would receive. 

Many users and drivers have wondered the reason for this pretty drastic move on Uber’s part. Uber launched in Ghana last year and limited its service offering to just UberX and UberSELECT. It also replicated this move in Uganda when the company launched there.

Although Uber Nigeria is yet to issue an official reason for ending the service in Nigeria, the reasons can’t be far-fetched. As previously stated, UberBLACK service is quite luxurious and can’t be described as cheap when compared to UberX. Only a few Nigerians will be willing to shell out the extra bucks required to patronize the luxury UberBLACK offers.  By introducing the SELECT service, Uber will still offer luxury but at a more pocket friendly price. Upon starting the mobile app, a pop up message describes the Uber Select service as “a new way to get around Lagos in style and at an affordable price.”

At the launch of UberSELECT in the country, Uber Nigeria released a statement which reads: “Hey Lagos! We want to introduce you to UberSELECT, a new way to get around Lagos in style and at an affordable price! This will be at the same quality of the UberBLACK that you know and love but at a cheaper price point!”

By pushing the price factor in the introductory post, and most importantly, telling people that they won’t have to pay the UberBLACK price, suggests that Uber Nigeria is trying to say:” hey, we brought something cheaper, we hope you like it this time.”

 

Pricing

While base fare for UberX is N400, UberSELECT is about N500. Eligible UberSELECT vehicles include As Kia (Optima, Sportage), Hyundai (Elantra, ix35), Audi, Lexus, Toyota (Camry, Prado). This clearly depicts good value for a reasonable fare.

 

To signup for UberSELECT in Nigeria:

If you wish to sign up to drive for UberSELECT in Nigeria, please sign up through the Uber website – using our referral link: uberkit.net/signup.  (You get a signup bonus, which has our signup referral code already pre-populated). Note – the links redirect to the correct Uber URL

 

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Nigeria, South Africa

Uber in Africa And Entrepreneurship

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With a population of over 1.1 billion people (about 16% of the World’s population), Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most-populous continent. The transport system in most African countries is plagued with issues like traffic congestion, rickety/faulty vehicles, and unprofessional taxi and bus drivers to name a few. Operating a transport system that works is a driving force for the Transportation Network Company, Uber. By launching a location based app that connects riders to on-demand drivers, Uber is not only providing seamless transportation to the public but creating opportunities for people to be entrepreneurs and create multiple streams of income.

 

Overview

Buoyed by an aggressive growth strategy, Uber is rapidly gaining large footprints in Africa. Not only offering a technological based alternative to archaic ride hailing; Uber is seeking to bolster Africa’s economic growth. Uber is part of the technology revolution that has transformed urban mobility and is gradually eroding the archaic practice of physically hailing a cab in Africa. Africans now have a new way of getting around, which is facilitated by just navigating through the Uber app. 

Uber’s march across the African continent continues at a quick pace. Uber has had to adjust its strategy in Africa, as it had to do in growing economies like India, Cape Town, Lagos and Johannesburg by launching cash payment options for passengers in these cities.

 

Uber’s Impact in Africa

Africa being the world’s poorest and most underdeveloped continent with a continental GDP that accounts for just 2.4% of global GDP, will no doubt have a relatively high unemployment rate.

Using South Africa as a case study, Uber South Africa which launched in 2013 is a subsidiary of Uber Technologies Inc. Uber has empowered drivers, enforced passenger safety and has improved the transport service of South Africa. This in turn transforms the way users think about their transportation options in South Africa. Uber has already created over 2,000 jobs across the country since launching in late 2013.

Uber’s lead generation software facilitates powerful entrepreneurship opportunities every month with Uber empowering hundreds of entrepreneurs to become small business owners in South Africa. This contributes significantly to the 50,000+ global entrepreneurs who are empowered monthly on the Uber platform. Anthony le Roux, General Manager of Uber Cape Town, says, “Uber is using a variety of corporate relationships to ensure that every opportunity and partnership we have developed is available to our partner-drivers. We want to provide them with as many benefits as we can, so they can grow and succeed in their businesses. These opportunities include better financing options, discounts on vehicle ware items and car washes, to name a few.”

Also, in a bid to drive entrepreneurship in Africa, Uber and WesBank; a South African-based vehicle finance provider have announced the signing of a vehicle solutions program worth ZAR200million. The Uber Vehicle Solutions Program give Uber driver-partners who may not qualify for traditional credit the opportunity of a full vehicle maintenance lease, facilitated by WesBank, at special rates.

Uber driver-partners and non-partners can rent approved vehicles from Hertz, Pace, Europcar and Fleet Data Technologies until they have built the earnings and quality record needed to qualify for the full maintenance lease. “This is an amazing chance for driver-partners to start and grow their own small business in partnership with Uber,” Uber South Africa stated in a press release. This method is obviously another measure to boost entrepreneurship in Africa.

 

Another example of Uber’s impact in Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem can be found in Nigeria. Uber launched in Nigeria on July 24th 2014, operating in two of the commercial cities, Lagos and Abuja. Uber has improved entrepreneurship in the country by providing the ride-sharing business for the citizens. Under the management of Ebi Atawodi (Uber’s General Manager), Uber has already captured 30% of the Lagos market. Lagos is significant for Uber because it is the most populous city in Africa with a population of about 21 million people. 

Uber showed Nigerians what a real taxi service should look like – clean, fast and polite. If Uber keeps its fares and commission fair, it is likely to dominate the N28 billion taxi market in Lagos.

Uber currently operates in five countries in Africa. It was launched in the capital of Ghana (was operational 11 June 2016) and Tanzania few months ago. Uber also launched its ride-sharing service in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, according to a statement released on Thursday. Kampala now joins the growing list of Uber’s smart transportation hubs in Africa such as Lagos, Abuja, Johannesburg and Mombasa.

It should be interesting to see what the future has in store for Uber in Africa.

 

Sign up to have our blog posts (catering to Uber Partners and Drivers) delivered to your email every week!  In exchange for signing up we will give you our highly rated report with suggestions to help you increase your Uber Revenue. We cover trending topics relevant to the success of your business as an Uber car owner or driver, as well as cutting edge improvements on how to improve the management of your business: like how to better control costs and increase your revenue. Thanks again for visiting! We look forward to hearing from you about your experience and being a part of your new growing business!

 

 

 

Other Links:

For our blog posts on some of Uber’s Services in Africa, see the links below:

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Uber in Africa
Nigeria, Uber Drivers, Uber Partner

All About Uber In Nigeria

Kunle Bowale & Ola John 4 Comments

 

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, the most populous and as far as we know, the biggest. Her people’s propensity to accommodate revolutionary economic improvements, has been a major propeller for the developments that have drawn investors from firms all over the world. This is why when Uber was launched in Nigeria  in July 2014, a lot of people from different sectors of the world business community were positive about the expected growth prospect. Speaking at the launch, Patrick Studener, Senior International Launcher at Uber said; “We’re really excited to be launching Uber in Lagos today”. Technology is allowing, pushing and prodding us to completely rethink the future of our cities and the way people get around them. Uber is already evolving the way the world moves and is being embraced by millions of people across the globe. Uber is part of a technology revolution that is transforming urban mobility which is creating the smart cities of the future. The people of Lagos now have a new way of getting around their city that is just a tap of an app away and is also stylish, safe and efficient.”

 

How is Uber Doing in Nigeria?

The Uber business is currently in Nigeria, in two of the country’s megacities, Lagos and Abuja. So far, Uber seems to be doing well.  and there are plans for more expansions in Africa after that. The fact that they have been making moves to expand their reach in Nigeria is an indication that they are here to stay. The ride-share company has totally changed the way the ordinary Lagosian views getting around : what used to be stressful is swiftly becoming very easy and fun.

In a busy city where the roads are almost never free and regular taxis are built to drain the pocket, the introduction of the Uber way of transportation is a relief to many. The very first rider to use the Uber ride in Lagos was Nigeria’s international rap music tycoon ‘Ice Prince’. He was picked up from his home, and dropped off at his recording session in a sleek and classy ride.

One of the major factors that contributes to the gradual growth of the Uber business in Lagos is the flexibility of the system. The fact that the people can get a ride just by the tap of a button is, till date, a life-changer. Uber cars are clean, classy rides with  GPS tracking systems (via your Uber app) which allow the driver to know where the rider is on the map, making pickup faster and easier. Riders also have access to a live GPS-enabled map on the app during the trip and can share this with a third party. An even greater factor is that it has created a reliable source of income for many otherwise unemployed youths where there is Uber. One can easily state that Uber is contributing a great deal to the economy of countries across the world.

There are many other details about Uber in Nigeria that you may want to know.

 

What Services Are Available?

In Lagos there are basically two services available. They are UberX and UberSELECT. In Abuja, UberX is the only service available (as at the time of this posting)

The UberX service is Uber’s low-cost service. With this service, you can get around in a comfortable vehicle and still get to pay cheap fares. While commenting on the UberX service, Ebi Atawodi, General Manager of Uber Lagos said “People are changing the way they connect with their cities and get around, and we feel Uber is a big part of this revolution. We believe Nigerians should be allowed more choice in the way they travel and with UberX, we now offer unrivaled value for getting around Lagos safely and securely, at the touch of a button.” When ordering an UberX, riders can expect a car like a Toyota (Corolla, Camry), Nissan (Almera, Altima), Honda (Accord) or Kia (Cerato).

UberSELECT is a more luxurious Uber service than UberX: it involves the use of pricey and  luxury vehicles. It is the type of service you would love to use on a date night or when you need to attend meetings and you want to look like the classy business person that you are. You get to impress your clients at a reasonable fare, but surely at a cost higher than the UberX. When ordering a SELECT vehicle, expect cars like the Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Toyota Prado and so on.

 

Pricing

The correct rates  of the two Uber services in Nigeria as at the time of this posting are listed below:

Uber SELECT (Lagos Only):

  •         Base Fare –  N500
  •         Fare Per Minute – N10
  •         Minimum Fare – N500
  •         Fare per Km – N110
  •         Cancellation Fee – N1000

 

UberX (Lagos):

  •         Base Fare – N400
  •         Fare Per Minute – N9
  •         Fare Per Km – N90
  •         Minimum Fare – N400
  •         Cancellation Fee – N1000

 

UberX (Abuja):

  •         Base Fare – N220
  •         Fare Per Minute – N5
  •         Fare Per Km – N50
  •         Minimum Fare – N300
  •         Cancellation Fee – N500

 

We also found that there are flat fares in Lagos for trips beginning and ending in certain areas for N2,400. The routes with flat fares for UberX in Lagos as at the time of this posting are:

  •         Victoria Garden City to Victoria Island
  •         Ikoyi to Victoria Garden City

For Abuja, flat fares for trips beginning within the city limits and ending at the Abuja Airport cost N3,000.

 

Car Requirements:

For a vehicle to be eligible for Uber in Nigeria,it must meet the following standards:

  •         UberX & UberBlack vehicles must be sedan (no hatches accepted)
  •         Vehicles must be 10 years or newer for UberX (2006 model or newer as at the time of this posting
  •         Vehicles must be 4 years or newer for UberSELECT (2012 model or newer as at the time of this posting)
  •         Mileage should be a maximum of 100,000KMs when being put onto the Uber system
  •         All vehicles require a working radio and air conditioner (electric windows preferable)
  •         Vehicles must have a minimum of 1750mm width
  •         No full-size (15 passenger) vans, Lincoln Towncars, Mercury Grand Marquis, or Ford Crown Victorias
  •         No salvage vehicles.  Must have a clean title.
  •         To qualify for Uber, vehicle must have seat belts for all passengers including the driver.
  •         Vehicles will remain on the Uber system unless complaints from riders about quality occur sooner

 

Driver Requirements:

  •         Two passport photographs
  •         Driver must have a valid driver’s license (at least 90 days till expiration)
  •         Must not have any criminal record
  •         A Lagos State Driver’s Institute card (LSDRI). Visit their site, it takes just two days to get a card.
  •         Drivers must provide full address and previous employer details
  •         Drivers must provide details of two qualifying guarantors
  •         All drivers must go through a full background check initiated by Uber.

 

Fares and Payment

As it is done in many other cities, Uber collects the full fare directly from the client, deducts a service fee of 20%, then they pay the remaining 80% to the driver’s account registered with them. The payment is made weekly on a Tuesday and this clears in your bank account either Thursday or Friday. Payment can only be made into a Checking Account, not Savings.

 

Freebies

With Uber referral, you can earn as much as you want though that basically varies on how much you put into it. Also, Uber gives you the opportunity to earn extra cash by referring a new driver. In order to qualify for this incentive, the person you refer must enter your unique referral code when they sign up online. You can view your referral code at the bottom of the main menu when you log in to your partner dashboard.

We believe that this is sufficient info about Uber in Nigeria. Now you can #UberON and experience the comfortable atmosphere the ‘UberLife’ creates.

 

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Other Links:

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Nigeria, Uber Black, Uber Drivers, Uber Partner, UberX

Uber Vs Easy Taxi In Nigeria

Kunle Bowale & Ola John 19 Comments

 

Uber is one of the largest global businesses in the world. All over the world, several organizations are fighting to carve a space in the rideshare industry as Uber has carved for itself. One of Uber’s major competitors is Easy Taxi. This post is an evaluation of Easy Taxi as it compares to Uber in Nigeria. To understand this, we will look at various aspects of the business structure of both companies and their services.

 

Brief History

Easy Taxi is a mobile E-hailing application available in 30 countries. The app allows users to book a taxi via the iPhone, Android, or Windows phone.   Easy Taxi was founded in 2011 in Brazil and has since expanded globally, covering a network of 30 countries and more than 420 cities. As of December 2014, the company reported that it had a total of 17 million users and more than 400,000 taxi drivers on its Taxi network.

Uber is an American International Transportation Network Company headquartered in San Francisco, California. With the Uber mobile app, consumers’ Android and iPhones can submit a trip request which Uber forwards to Uber drivers who use their own cars. As of May 28, 2015, the service was available in 58 countries and 300 cities worldwide. Since Uber’s launch in 2010, several other companies have copied its business model, a trend that has come to be referred to as “Uberification”.

 

Mode of Operation

As we know, Uber has refused to take the title of a transportation company; instead it prefers to be called a tech company that simply mediates the driver-rider relation to ensure effective mobility. In Nigeria and as it is in all other Uber countries, Uber registers independent contractors/car owners (as drivers) and regular passengers on their app. The app allows users to make on-demand ride requests. These requests are sent to available drivers. Uber would then collect all fares, takes a 20% commission and pays the rest to the driver. This has worked perfectly fine in many countries across the world, creating job opportunities and reducing the hassle of getting regular cabs.

Easy Taxi is an online E-hailing company. Like Uber, they also have an app that allows you to order rides, but in this case only taxis. It saves the hassle of trying to hail a cab. Looking at the mode of operation of this business side by side with that of Uber, one would see that while Uber provides unemployed people the chance to earn a good deal and, also solves a big transportation problem, Easy Taxi seems to be solving only one. One of the edges that you might say Uber has over Easy Taxi.

 

Pricing

In most of the countries where Uber operates, it is usually cheaper to get an Uber ride than other services. With a price slash sometime in May 2015, Uber dropped its price below all other available services. The problem with Easy Taxi’s pricing is majorly that they deal with taxi owners, who in Nigeria, are used to the very high charges. Therefore, no matter how much they try to regulate, they cannot go as low as Uber, who mostly has employed people who just need extra cash as their drivers. With a base fare of about N1000, Uber has made going around in Lagos cost around N90/km. The fact that Uber is able to offer an unbranded and classy vehicle at a more affordable price is simply amazing.

 

Services

In Lagos there are basically two Uber services available. They are UberX and UberBLACK. The UberX service is a low-cost service that Uber offers riders: with this service you can get around in a comfortable vehicle and still get to pay an affordable fare. When ordering an UberX, riders can expect cars like a Toyota (Corolla, Camry), Nissan (Almera, Altima), Honda (Accord) or Kia (Cerato).

UberBLACK is a bit higher on the grid because as we know, it involves the use of pricey luxury vehicles and top notch chauffeuring services to go with it. When ordering a BLACK vehicle, expect cars like an Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Toyota Prado and so on.

In the case of Easy Taxi, you can only expect to get a Taxi that will take you wherever you want to go. The diversity that Uber brings to the table in the only city where they operate currently is a threat to Easy Taxi’s modus operandi generally.

 

Expansion

With the growing popularity of Uber in Nigeria, the company is looking to expand its reach to other cities in Nigeria. The taxi hailing company currently has its name pinned on two cities (Lagos and Abuja). However, there are speculation that they are exiting the Nigeria market already (see the ‘state of things’ section below).

 

State of Things

While Uber seems to be planning to extend to more cities in Nigeria, Easy Taxi seems to have been structuring a silent exit as hints have been dropping here and there. Some users have complained that they now have difficulty using the app. As reported on Dantewest, the widespread rumor is that the former MD/Founder of Easy Taxi Nigeria, Bankole Cardoso has been spotted in Uber countless times. Same source reported that key staff of Easy Taxi Nigeria have also left the company for various reasons and that report reaching Nigerians on LinkedIn is that the Social Media Manager recently announced his resignation of his appointment with the company. These sudden moves are questions begging for answers and have kept Easy Taxi fans and customers wondering if all is well in the company. The only statement the said source was able to get from this social media manager was: “I needed to move to a better environment, and I’m still a fan of the company”. There are already pointers in Abuja as a disappointed writer reported incidents of app malfunction and the ‘request’ button refusing to click. These are all indications that Easy Taxi might be bowing out in the face of strong competition – leaving Uber to claim the position of kingpin in the Nigerian market. The incident won’t be very shocking when it becomes official as we already saw what happened in Ghana and Singapore. Yet it is not my place to make the official pronouncement and as such, this is not a pronouncement of any sort on behalf of Easy Taxi.

 

Accessibility

Let me be the judge of this. Looking at the Uber app and official website, I personally believe that it beats all that I have seen of Easy Taxi. The Uber app generally has better features and a better interface: allowing you to split fares, share your trip progress and many more. This is surely one of the major reasons why the Nigerian market, like every other Uber market, has opened up pretty easily to the innovation that Uber brings.

These are very necessary details that I have found when comparing the Uber and Easy Taxi business structure in the Nigerian market.

 

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Nigeria, Uber Car Requirements

List of Uber Approved Cars in Lagos, Nigeria (201 Vehicles)

462 Comments

 

 

Are you at the point where you want to buy a car for Uber, but can’t seem to get the list of approved Uber vehicles? In response to numerous requests for the List of Uber cars (UberX and UberBlack) in Lagos, Nigeria, we put together an unofficial master list  containing 201 Uber approved cars in Lagos,Nigeria.

The list below contains the following – Uber Approved Service, Make, and Model of the Vehicle. For some of the data we marked it as N/A – meaning we could not find it, or it does not exist! Assume all cars listed in the table below, as at the time of this posting to be at most 8 years old (in order to be approved for Uber use)- I.e. For any car on this list to be approved, they need to be a 2000 model or newer.

Note – if a car is approved for UberBlack, it is generally automatically approved to make UberX pickups (if the driver desires).

 

 

 

Use the search (in the blog post & right above the table) to search for a car make or model. DO NOT use the search bar at the top right

 


Uber ServiceVehicle MakeVehicle Model
UberXAcuraRDX
UberXAcuraTL
UberXAudiA4
UberXAudiS4
UberXBMW3 Series
UberXBuickAnthem
UberXBuickEncore
UberXBuickLucerne
UberXBuickRegal
UberXChevroletCaptiva Sport
UberXChevroletEquinox
UberXChevroletHHR
UberXChevroletImpala
UberXChevroletImpala Limited
UberXChevroletMalibu
UberXChevroletMalibu Hybrid
UberXChevroletSS
UberXChrysler200
UberXChrysler300
UberXDodgeAvenger
UberXDodgeCaliber
UberXDodgeCharger
UberXDodgeJourney
UberXDodgeNitro
UberXFordC-Max Energi
UberXFordC-Max Hybrid
UberXFordCrown Victoria
UberXFordEdge
UberXFordEscape
UberXFordEscape Hybrid
UberXFordFusion
UberXFordFusion Energi
UberXFordFusion Hybrid
UberXFordTaurus
UberXGMCTerrain
UberXHondaAccord
UberXHondaAccord Crosstour
UberXHondaAccord Hybrid
UberXHondaAccord Plug-In Hybrid
UberXHondaCR-V
UberXHondaCrosstour
UberXHondaElement
UberXHummerH3
UberXHyundaiAzera
UberXHyundaiElantra Touring
UberXHyundaiSanta Fe
UberXHyundaiSanta Fe Sport
UberXHyundaiSonata
UberXHyundaiSonata Hybrid
UberXHyundaiTucson
UberXHyundaiVeracruz
UberXInifinitiQ50
UberXJeepCherokee
UberXJeepCompass
UberXJeepGrand Cherokee
UberXJeepGrand Cherokee SRT
UberXJeepLiberty
UberXJeepPatriot
UberXKiaCadenza
UberXKiaOptima
UberXKiaSorento
UberXKiaSportage
UberXLand RoverDiscovery Sport
UberXLincolnMKC
UberXLincolnMKS
UberXLincolnMKZ
UberXLincolnMKZ Hybrid
UberXLincolnTown Car
UberXMazdaCX-5
UberXMazdaCX-7
UberXMazdaMazda5
UberXMazdaMazda6
UberXMazdaTribute
UberXMercuryGrand Marquis
UberXMercuryMariner
UberXMercuryMariner Hybrid
UberXMercuryMilan
UberXMercuryMilan Hybrid
UberXMitsubishiEndeavor
UberXMitsubishiGalant
UberXMitsubishiOutlander Sport
UberXNissanAltima
UberXNissanAltima Hybrid
UberXNissanMaxima
UberXNissanMurano
UberXNissanRogue
UberXNissanRogue Select
UberXNissanXterra
UberXPontiacG6
UberXPontiacVibe
UberXSaab41887
UberXSaab9-4X
UberXSubaruForester
UberXSubaruLegacy
UberXSubaruOutback
UberXSubaruWRX
UberXSuzukiGrand Vitara
UberXSuzukiKizashi
UberXToyotaAvalon
UberXToyotaAvalon Hybrid
UberXToyotaCamry
UberXToyotaCamry Hybrid
UberXToyotaPrius
UberXToyotaPrius Plug-In
UberXToyotaPrius v
UberXToyotaRAV4
UberXToyotaRAV4 EV
UberXToyotaVenza
UberXVolkswagenCC
UberXVolkswagenJetta
UberXVolkswagenJetta GLI
UberXVolkswagenJetta Hybrid
UberXVolkswagenPassat
UberXVolkswagenTiguan
UberXVolkswagenTouareg
UberXVolvoXC60
UberXVolvoXC70
UberBLACKAcuraMDX
UberBLACKAcuraRL
UberBLACKAcuraRLX
UberBLACKAudiA6
UberBLACKAudiA7
UberBLACKAudiA8
UberBLACKAudiAllroad
UberBLACKAudiQ50
UberBLACKAudiQ7
UberBLACKAudiRS 7
UberBLACKAudiS6
UberBLACKAudiS7
UberBLACKAudiS8
UberBLACKAudiSQ5
UberBLACKBMW3 Series Gran Turismo
UberBLACKBMW5 Series
UberBLACKBMW5 Series Gran Turismo
UberBLACKBMW6 Series Gran Coupe
UberBLACKBMW7 Series
UberBLACKBMWActive Hybrid 7
UberBLACKBMWActive Hybrid X6
UberBLACKBMWALPINA B7
UberBLACKBMWM5
UberBLACKBMWM6 Gran Coupe
UberBLACKBMWX3
UberBLACKBMWX4
UberBLACKBMWX5
UberBLACKBMWX5 M
UberBLACKBMWX6
UberBLACKBMWX6 M
UberBLACKBuickEnclave
UberBLACKBuickLaCrosse
UberBLACKCadillacCTS
UberBLACKCadillacCTS Wagon
UberBLACKCadillacCTS-V
UberBLACKCadillacCTS-V Wagon
UberBLACKCadillacDTS
UberBLACKCadillacSRX
UberBLACKCadillacSTS
UberBLACKCadillacXTS
UberBLACKHyindaiEquus
UberBLACKHyindaiGenesis
UberBLACKInifinitiJX
UberBLACKInifinitiM
UberBLACKInifinitiM35
UberBLACKInifinitiM37
UberBLACKInifinitiM45
UberBLACKInifinitiM56
UberBLACKInifinitiQ70
UberBLACKJaguarXF
UberBLACKJaguarXJ
UberBLACKKiaK900
UberBLACKLand RoverLR4
UberBLACKLand RoverRange Rover
UberBLACKLand RoverRange Rover Sport
UberBLACKLexusES 300h
UberBLACKLexusES 350
UberBLACKLexusGS 350
UberBLACKLexusGS 450h
UberBLACKLexusGS 460
UberBLACKLexusGX 460
UberBLACKLexusLS 460
UberBLACKLexusLS 600h L
UberBLACKLexusLX 570
UberBLACKLexusRX 350
UberBLACKLexusRX 450h
UberBLACKLincolnMKT
UberBLACKLincolnMKX
UberBLACKMercedes-BenzE-Class
UberBLACKMercedes-BenzG-Class
UberBLACKMercedes-BenzGLK-Class
UberBLACKMercedes-BenzM-Class
UberBLACKMercedes-BenzR-Class
UberBLACKMercedes-BenzS-Class
UberBLACKPorscheCayenne
UberBLACKPorscheMacan
UberBLACKPorschePanamera
UberBLACKRolls-RoyceGhost
UberBLACKRolls-RoycePhantom
UberBLACKTeslaModel S
UberBLACKTeslaModel X
UberBLACKToyotaLand Cruiser
UberBLACKVolvoS80
UberBLACKVolvoXC90

 

Let us know if any of the information is not correct, or needs to be updated, and we shall update it if you are found to be correct!

 

Other Links:

For our blog posts on some of Uber’s Services, see the links below:

For other popular posts you might be interested in, check the links below:

 

Note -For Uber Drivers and Entrepreneurs who have not downloaded our kit(s), we provide a vast amount of professionally vetted information and business analysis that will help you run a successful uber business.

 

Disclaimer-Before purchasing any vehicle, it is paramount that you verify it is approved for the Uber program in your city. We have put a lot of research into this; however you as the business owner are ultimately responsible for the decision you make for your Uber Business.

 

List of Uber Approved Cars in Lagos Nigeria