Uber Exits Côte d’Ivoire After Six Years of Operations
Uber has officially ended its operations in Côte d’Ivoire as of Thursday, September 25, 2025. The American ride-hailing service informed its users of the withdrawal and expressed “regrets” for any inconvenience caused, without specifying the reasons behind this decision.
This departure ends six years of Uber’s presence in the Ivorian urban mobility market, where it had operated since December 2019. The platform had attracted urban customers seeking safe and reliable transportation solutions.
Côte d’Ivoire was the only French-speaking West African country where Uber was active. The company had been officially authorized to operate in the Ivorian market alongside Yango and Heetch by the Authority for the Regulation of Domestic Transport (ARTI) and the General Directorate of Land Transport and Traffic (DGTTC) in January 2025.
Possible Reasons for the Withdrawal
Several factors may have influenced Uber’s decision. Analysts point to increased competition from local and regional platforms such as Indrive, Heetch, and Yango, as well as pressure from traditional taxi operators. Uber’s pricing model, considered high by some customers, may have limited its expansion, especially against lower-cost competitors. Other analysts suggest that Uber faced challenges adapting its model to the Ivorian context, characterized by strict regulation.
It is worth noting that Uber also suspended its activities in Morocco in February 2018, stating: “Unfortunately, since our launch in Morocco nearly three years ago, we have not had clarity on integrating apps like Uber into the existing transport model.”
Opportunities for the Ivorian Ride-Hailing Market
Uber’s exit opens opportunities for competitors. Russian platform Yango, French app Heetch, local actors such as Indrive, and traditional taxi services are expected to strengthen their positions and capture more customers.
According to a study by AutoMag published in early 2025, the Ivorian ride-hailing sector had between 5,000 and 6,000 active drivers in 2024.
The report from Africa Data Intelligence, titled “2024 Ivorian Ride-Hailing Market Study,” found that residents of Abidjan spend approximately 4 billion CFA francs ($7.15 million) per day on transportation, including costs associated with ride-hailing services such as Yango, Uber, Heetch, and Indrive. The study also highlights that ride-hailing apps generated significant revenue, reaching 600 million CFA francs in 2023, indicating strong growth potential for platforms still operating in Côte d’Ivoire.
