Uber has launched its delivery service, Uber Connect, in Lagos, Nigeria. It first launched the service globally in April 2020 and in Cairo, Egypt, its first market in Africa, in August 2020. It has successfully rolled out this service in other markets in Sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa.
Uber Connect is an easy, same-day, no-contact delivery solution that allows people to send items whether it is a care package for a loved one, a gift for a friend’s birthday, an item you sold online or an important business document. Uber will be using bikes to avoid the traffic challenges often experienced in Lagos.
“The benefits of Uber’s technology platform extend beyond the actual ride-sharing abilities of Uber. With the growth of on-demand deliveries rising due to the integration of digital technology, we have adapted our platform to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve, while providing new revenue streams and earning opportunities for drivers,” explains Tope Akinwumi, Country Manager for Uber Nigeria.
The e-commerce and last mile delivery sector in Nigeria is expected to grow by about 11 per cent by 2025 as it continues to attract strong investments according to business data platform Statista. Leveraging its technology, Uber is providing an affordable same-day delivery service that provides a cost-effective, on-demand, no-contact delivery solution for family and friends, as well as small businesses.
How it works:
Uber Connect is currently available in Lagos
- Package the items in a sealed box or bag, wiping down surfaces with disinfectant.
- Tell your driver-partner ‘Where to?’ in your Uber app.
- Choose Uber Connect as the ride (you may have to swipe up for the option).
- Follow the notifications: You’ll get notifications providing instructions on how to help ensure a smooth pickup and when your driver-partner is arriving, just as you would with an UberX trip. As you see the motorbike approach in the app, you should head outside and load your item into the motorbike’s topbox.
- Share the trip status with up to 5 people in your contact list. One of these should be the recipient so they can easily monitor the delivery’s progress.
