• Uber ends operations in Côte d'Ivoire after six years
• Exit likely due to competition, pricing, and regulation challenges
• Rivals poised to expand in growing Ivorian ride-hailing market

Uber has ceased operations in Côte d'Ivoire, effective Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. The U.S. ride-hailing company announced its withdrawal in a message to users, expressing "regrets" for any inconvenience but providing no specific reasons for the decision.

The departure ends Uber's six-year presence in the Ivorian urban mobility market, where it had been active since December 2019, appealing to urban consumers seeking secure and reliable transport solutions.

The withdrawal comes despite Uber having been officially authorized to operate in the Ivorian market, alongside rivals Yango and Heetch, by the Regulatory Authority for Domestic Transport and the Directorate General of Land Transport and Circulation in January 2025.

Possible Reasons for Retreat

Several factors may explain Uber's decision. Some analysts cite heightened competition, particularly from local and regional platforms like Indrive, Heetch, and Yango, as well as pressure from traditional taxis. Uber's pricing model, which was considered high by some customers, may have limited its expansion, especially when competing against lower-cost alternatives. Other analysts suggest the company faced difficulties adapting its model to the Ivorian context, which includes strict regulation.

Notably, Uber suspended activities in Morocco in February 2018, stating that "unfortunately, Since we launched in Morocco over two years ago, there has been a lack of clarity about new platforms like Uber and how they fit into the existing transport model."

Market Outlook

Uber's exit opens opportunities for its competitors. Russia's Yango, France's Heetch, local players like Indrive, and traditional taxi platforms are all expected to strengthen their positions and capture the displaced customer base. A study by the AutoMag platform published in early 2025 estimated that the Ivorian ride-hailing sector had between 5,000 and 6,000 active drivers in 2024.

According to a World Bank report published in February 2029, more than 10 million trips are made daily in Abidjan, and each household spends an average of 1,075 CFA francs. The report added that more than 4 billion CFA francs [$7.1 million] are spent daily (in terms of money and opportunity cost), or the equivalent of 1.2 trillion CFA francs annually. These figures suggest significant growth potential for the ride-hailing platforms remaining in Côte d'Ivoire.

Chamberline Moko