Ride-hailing company Bolt has publicly declared its intention to stay in Nigeria after Uber announced it was pulling out of the country after 12 years, effective September 2, 2026.

In a statement, Teddy Appa-Dankyi, senior general manager of Bolt West Africa, said Nigeria continues to hold significant importance for the company.

What Bolt said on operations in Nigeria

In the statement issued on behalf of Bolt, Appa-Dankyi said:

"Nigeria remains an important market for Bolt, and we remain firmly committed to the country."

Appa-Dankyi acknowledged that Uber's exit could rattle confidence in the sector but said Bolt would not be swayed from its long-term plans. He said the company had built a solid base of drivers and riders in Nigeria and would keep expanding its services, Punch reports.

He added:

"We will continue working closely with our drivers, riders, regulators and other partners to con-tribute to a reliable, accessible and sustainable mobility ecosystem in Nigeria."

Why Uber left Nigeria

Uber confirmed on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, that it was ending services in Nigeria and Uganda after reviewing how it allocates investments across the African continent.

The company said the move was limited to those two countries and would not disrupt its opera-tions elsewhere in Africa.

Uber said it was directing resources towards markets where it could generate more value for driv-ers and deliver stronger earning opportunities.

The company also clarified that the decision had nothing to do with the recent dispute over e-hailing access at Nigerian airports. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had previously denied claims that Uber, Bolt and other app-based transport operators had been barred from airports.

FAAN later confirmed Bolt had been cleared to resume operations at its airports after a brief disruption.

What Uber's exit means for riders and drivers

With Uber gone, Nigerians now have three main ride-hailing platforms to choose from: Bolt, LagRide and inDrive, PM news report.

The reduced competition may limit the ability of both passengers and drivers to compare fares and availability across multiple apps.

Drivers who built their income primarily on Uber will need to move to other platforms or rethink their involvement in the industry altogether.

For Bolt, the development opens a window to absorb a portion of Uber's former user base and consolidate its position in one of Africa's largest consumer markets.

The company, however, still faces the same pressures that have squeezed the entire sector, including rising fuel costs and growing operational expenses in Nigeria's difficult economic climate.

Uber also apologised to affected users, recognising that the sudden exit would disrupt familiar routines.

"We know this may cause disruption to your routine, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience," the message read.