Bolt has moved to reassure Nigerian riders and drivers that it has no plans to leave the country, following Uber’s decision to discontinue its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria.
The company said Nigeria remains a key market and that it intends to expand its presence despite the challenges confronting the country’s transportation sector.
Teddy Appa-Dankyi, Senior General Manager of Bolt West Africa, said the company remained committed to providing mobility services to Nigerians and supporting the large community of drivers and riders built around its platform.
“Nigeria remains an important market for Bolt, and we remain firmly committed to the country,” Appa-Dankyi said.
He acknowledged that Uber’s withdrawal could create uncertainty for participants in the ride-hailing industry but said Bolt would maintain its long-term focus on Nigeria.
The company also pledged to continue engaging drivers, riders, regulators and other stakeholders as it works towards what it described as a reliable and sustainable mobility system.
Uber announced on Wednesday that it would cease operations in Nigeria and Uganda from September 2, 2026, following a review of its business priorities and investments across Africa.
The company said the decision was specific to the two countries and would not affect its operations elsewhere on the continent. Uber explained that it was redirecting investments towards markets where it believed it could generate greater value for drivers and increase earning opportunities.
It also clarified that its departure from Nigeria was unrelated to the recent disruption involving e-hailing services at Nigerian airports.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had earlier dismissed reports that Uber, Bolt and other ride-hailing companies had been banned from operating at airports. FAAN subsequently cleared Bolt to resume services at airports under its management after a temporary interruption.
With Uber now gone, Nigerian users will have fewer major ride-hailing platforms to compare on issues such as fares, availability and driver supply. Bolt, LagRide and inDrive are among the major alternatives remaining in the market.
The shift could also create new opportunities for Bolt and other operators to attract drivers and passengers previously using Uber.
For drivers who relied heavily on Uber, however, the exit could mean moving to competing platforms or reconsidering their participation in the ride-hailing sector altogether.
Bolt’s decision to remain in the country therefore leaves it with a potentially larger role in Nigeria’s evolving e-hailing market, even as regulatory, operational and economic pressures continue to shape the industry.
