Aerial view of Lagos Island, Nigeria. By bolarzeal @ Shutterstock.com
Uber executive Brooks Entwistle tells Reuters that Africa is a target for potential expansion for Uber. The continent’s low personal car ownership and population growth are tailwinds for a service such as Uber. Alexis Akwagyiram reports for Reuters:
In much of sub-Saharan Africa there are low levels of personal car ownership, rapidly expanding populations and a lack of efficient mass transport systems in fast-growing cities.
Uber, which said it has 36,000 active drivers in sub-Saharan Africa, operates in a number of countries in East and South Africa but is largely absent from West Africa, aside from Nigeria and Ghana.
The firm has identified the region as a target for potential expansion, Chief Business Officer Brooks Entwistle told Reuters. He said the company was in talks with regulators in Ivory Coast and Senegal regarding the possible launch of services.
“Both Abidjan and Dakar are logical opportunities for us,” said Entwistle, adding that discussions were at an early stage. He did not disclose further details.
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