Uber connects tens of thousands of people in Nigeria to safe, reliable
and affordable transportation at the tap of a button, in fact, Uber has
travelled approximately 9 000 000 km since their launch in Nigeria. But
Uber is much more than getting a ride, it is also about providing
economic opportunities by simply opening an app, which helps people to
either support their families or to earn additional income. Just in 2015
alone, Uber enabled over 1000 economic opportunities across Nigeria.
Uber has allowed people who have never considered driving for a living
to use the platform to become their own boss, to work flexibly and make
money to achieve their goals and support their families.
As a driver-partner, one can look forward to the following:
Be your own boss
As an independent contractor with Uber, driver-partners have the freedom
and flexibility to drive whenever they have time. They are able to set
their own schedule because there are no minimum times for operating.
Choosing your own hours makes it possible for drivers to be there for
all of life’s most important moments. Individuals who own their own
transportation companies can still carry on and use the Uber app to
connect their drivers with riders and grow their small businesses.
Upskilling the industry
Driver-partners are important to Uber, therefore Uber is committed to
upskilling drivers with the skills they need to run their own
businesses. This includes skills linked to operating on the platform,
such as guidance for using a smartphone efficiently, GPS and
navigation, health and safety best practices, working with email or tips
on how to improve service to riders.
Helping grow your business
Lagos and Abuja are buzzing and Uber makes it easy for drivers to
connect to riders looking for affordable and safe transport. Uber has
connected with great corporate partners across Nigeria to provide tools
for Nigerians to get started with their own small businesses, which is a
great first step to becoming their own boss.
With some of these corporate partnerships, drivers are able to purchase
mobile phones at an affordable rate, maintenance packages, discounted
lifestyle membership fees at select gyms and other perks. Drivers also
have access to the Uber’s marketplace, where companies can list
offerings for the driver-partner community which includes discounted
vehicle financing, insurance and vehicle purchasing deals.
In addition to this, Uber has partnered with PricewaterhouseCoopers
(PwC) so all driver-partners in Nigeria, whether they use the platform
part or full-time, are not burdened with the intricacies of tax
compliance. This partnership means driver-partners can become
knowledgeable on their tax compliance with the local regulations.
Uber is efficient
Uber’s technology is designed to help drivers by giving them the
flexibility to set their own schedule while boosting demand so drivers
spend more time moving people and less time sitting idle, which means
drivers are able to take more money home.
This also mean it’s better for Nigeria, with fewer km’s spent driving to
pick up points which results in fewer emissions and less unnecessary
congestion on Nigeria’s roads.
No discrimination
With Uber there is no discrimination or favouritism, the platform is
open to all who want to use the app to increase their chances for profit
and will work with them to provide them with the tools to build their
own small businesses. When there are more drivers working on the Uber
platform this means better coverage across Lagos and Abuja and less time
waiting times for riders. Faster pick ups lead to happier riders, who
tell their friends.
Ebi Atawodi, General Manager for Uber West Africa explains, “With over
20% of partners being previously unemployed, we’re proud that the Uber
platform enables driver-partners to not only be their own bosses, work
at their own hours and set their own targets, but also to make a good
living for themselves and their families.”
Uber is committed to offering the people of Nigeria a new way to work,
on their terms, and in doing so boosting the incomes of thousands of
Nigerian families who need it most.
