Uber Technologies drivers in some African countries including Nigeria and Kenya have gone on strike to demand a higher share of commissions due to increases in fuel prices and inflationary pressures amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The US ride-hailing service in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, already has limited trips available on the app, leading to a sharp rise in fares in Lagos, the country’s commercial hub.
“We are aware of a protest taking place today by a small group of e-hailing drivers, resulting in slightly longer waiting times for riders,” Uber said in an emailed statement Monday.
Cab operators are unhappy about price adjustments, high commissions taken by ride-hailing companies and passengers not properly identifying themselves. Some drivers on competing app Bolt Technology, that has taken significant market share in Nigeria, are also on strike.
“Drivers are asking the platforms to reduce their commission,” said Innocent, an Uber driver in Lagos. “We are struggling to survive the current economic situation.”
Food inflation soared 22.95 per cent in March in Africa’s largest economy, the most in 15 years, according to the country’s statistics agency. One in three people are unemployed in the West African nation and many have turned to the ride hailing platforms to make a living. Uber had about 9,000 drivers on its app in Nigeria as of 2018, the company said.
“We constantly evaluate our operations to ensure we continue to provide the best earnings for drivers on the platform,” said Femi Akin-Laguda, Bolt country manager in Nigeria. Bolt increased fares in November last year to mitigate a fuel price increase, Akin-Laguda said.
Uber started in South African cities in 2013 and has spread to other parts of the continent. E-hailing platforms often make up the drivers only employment, making them very sensitive to fare adjustments.

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