How Can Uber Successfully Continue Its Expansion in Africa?

When moving around without a car at home or abroad, ride hailing apps suddenly becomes the most elegant way for most people to transport. Uber, which currently operates in nine countries in Africa has always backed its expansion by a cruel attitude when setting up in new locations.

Uber in Africa
If Uber expands to Senegal, it will be the 10th country in Africa where they are operative (Photo: Unsplash/Johannes Andersson)

Currently, Uber does not operate in francophone African countries, but the CEO stated that it’s not deliberate. The size of the addressable market needs to be big enough for Uber to expand into a new territory. Uber hopes it will come up with a strategy that can be sustainable in countries like Senegal. Establishing partnerships, as it did with Suzuki in Kenya, could be one possibility. This way the company hopes that it can expand its services to Senegal’s capital, Dakar. There is also a concern that they will face a challenge with fierce competition from traditional taxis operating there. However, Uber is more optimistic on the issue noting that they have found an opportunity to move in.

African Uber Drivers Also Want In On Uber Pro

The main drivers behind Uber’s outstanding growth are efficient working processes. Their fine growth strategies are helping them stay above setbacks. A good amount of financial backings give them expansion and investment abilities while applying several interesting tactics.

Uber has previously faced much criticism for how it treats its drivers, so it recently took a step towards getting them more incentives with the release of Uber Pro. The company’s new reward program was launched in major markets in the US, but not in Africa. This gives African Uber drivers a cause for concern. The rewards program is simply a great growth strategy, helping to attract new drivers and customers. However, until Uber Pro is passed onto the next set of markets, Uber drivers in Africa are worried that they will remain like every other cab driver.

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Christina Ngene

Content creator focusing on finance and business with five years of experience and a foundation in forex analysis.

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