The global technology company, Uber has reportedly facilitated one billion trips in Africa since entering the market less than 10 years ago.
It’s noteworthy Uber Technologies Inc., simply called Uber, is an American Mobility as a service provider. It is based in San Francisco with operations in approximately 72 countries and 10,500 cities across the world.
Its services include ride-hailing, food delivery (Uber Eats and Postmates), package delivery. Couriers, freight transportation, electric bicycle and motorized scooter rental via a partnership with Lime and ferry transport in partnership with local operators.
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Since inception, Uber does not own any vehicles; instead, it receives a commission from each booking. Fares are quoted to the customer in advance but vary using a dynamic pricing model based on the local supply and demand at the time of the booking
Uber offers many different types of ride options. UberX is the most popular and the standard service of the company. UberXL, Uber Comfort, and Uber Black are other options offered by the company. UberXL is usually a SUV sided vehicle and can accommodate up to 6 people.
Uber’s premium service is Uber Black. Uber Black drivers have to be highly rated and drive more luxurious vehicles, then UberX and UberXL. Uber Comfort guarantees a newer vehicle with more leg room. The different types of options gives customers more flexibility when choosing a ride
According to the company, over 10 billion kilometres of trips had been completed, and “this is equivalent to travelling to the moon and back over 5500 times.”
The company adds that Uber and Uber Eats had collectively reached over 30 million riders and eaters in Sub-Saharan Africa during the same period.
The Head of Communications for East and West Africa at Uber, Lorraine Onduru, said, “Since entering the market in 2013, we have created over 6 million economic opportunities in over 50 cities across SSA that we are present in. We pride ourselves in building locally using global expertise. Each country’s needs are unique, so we take the time to understand each of the market needs so we can be responsive and adapt accordingly.
“We have expanded our offerings in markets where we currently operate, innovating with new business models to serve changing needs. The focus for Uber in Africa as it embarks on the next one billion trips is to continue unlocking opportunities through movement and changing how people, food, and things move through cities.
“While each country offers its own unique opportunities, we have found the region to be defined by agility, creativity and adaptability. This provides Uber with the perfect conditions to launch and nurture our on-demand economy in collaboration with the local partners to adapt a global business model into an African environment with diverse political, business and socio-economic dynamics.”
On what the public should know, Onduru further disclosed, “In the past year, Uber has expanded to over 21 cities in South Africa, two cities in Ghana (Cape Coast and Takoradi) and four cities/areas for delivery in Kenya (Nakuru, Ongata Rongai, Syokimau and Kitengela), with plans to launch in more regional towns and cities this year.
“This month, Uber in Nigeria expanded to four new cities, including Uyo, Warri, Enugu and Kano. In June, Uber will officially mark six years in Ghana, another testament to the role Uber plays as a partner to the cities it operates in”
Uber has indeed been of help to the general public on various occasions, and their services could be testified by anyone who had been following them in recent times.
Though other entities have recently keyed into similar services as offered by Uber, many others are urged to follow suit in a bid to boost competitiveness, which encourages quality and reliability.
Nigerians are equally charged to ensure they set up such kind of service-based ventures, so the country can boast of various indigenous firms in that line of business.