Nigeria: Uber plans to launch boat service in Lagos

Ride-hailing service company Uber Technology Inc. has disclosed ambitious plans to launch a boat service in Nigeria’s commercial capital and biggest city as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion.

Uber says it is already negotiating with the Lagos state government and regulatory authorities to start offering Uber Boats services on waterbodies in Lagos.

Uber’s Chief Business Officer Brooks Entwistle told Bloomberg in an interview that his company can help solve traffic congestion.

“We know the traffic is a priority and we think we can help there,” Entwistle said. “We are having fruitful good discussions with the regulators right now, it is what we are doing this week, we are meeting with partners.” The executive did not give a time line on when the service will begin

Lagos, sub-Saharan Africa biggest city with an estimated population of 22 million, is known for its traffic congestion leaving commuters spending hours in their cars.

“Our strategy is in every country we going into we want to find local partners to help us with our business,” Entwistle said. “Partnership is core to our business.”

San Francisco-based Uber launched a similar boat service in Egypt in 2017, with taxis travelling up and down the Nile River that dissects Cairo to bypass clogged streets. The company expanded the service to cities including Mumbai and along the Croatian coast.