Moove, the Uber-backed mobility and vehicle financing company, has officially ended its operations in Nigeria, effective Thursday, October 8, 2026. The closure comes roughly one month after Uber itself wound down its 12-year presence in Nigeria and Uganda, following a strategic review of its investment allocation across Africa.
Vehicle Transfer and Customer Impact
Rather than a complete shutdown, Moove has arranged to transfer vehicles worth approximately N35 billion ($26.3 million) to eligible customers who had been using them under its Drive-to-Own and rental programmes. These customers will not be required to make any additional payments to Moove for the vehicles. Additionally, staff members will receive a free car as part of the company's exit arrangements.
Ladi Delano, Moove's co-founder, co-CEO and advisory board chairman, confirmed that more than 9,000 customers had used the company's products in Nigeria. He stated that these customers "generated approximately N57 billion in revenue through Moove-financed vehicles," adding that the figures represented "Nigerians earning money, supporting their families and building their futures."
Context of Uber's Departure
Moove's withdrawal adds to a turbulent period for Nigeria's ride-hailing sector. Uber announced its Nigerian and Ugandan shutdown in September 2026, citing a reassessment of its investment priorities across the continent. The company said its operations elsewhere in Africa would not be affected, as reported by The Cable. Reports later emerged that Uber was preparing to cut about 3,000 jobs globally as part of a broader restructuring linked to its Africa pullback.
With both companies now out of the Nigerian market, platforms including Bolt, inDrive and LagRide are among those left to serve demand for app-based transport services in the country.
Moove's Global Operations Remain Active
Moove has indicated that the Nigerian closure does not signal the end of its wider business. The company currently operates 42,000 vehicles across 29 cities internationally, suggesting the decision is specific to its Nigerian operations rather than a global retreat.
For customers in Nigeria, the vehicle transfer arrangement offers a path to outright ownership of cars they had been driving under Moove's financing scheme, potentially softening the impact of the company's departure.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Bolt had publicly declared its intention to stay in Nigeria after Uber announced its exit. In a statement, Teddy Appa-Dankyi, senior general manager of Bolt West Africa, said Nigeria continues to hold significant importance for the company. He noted that "Nigeria remains an important market for Bolt, and we remain firmly committed to the country."
