After Uber Exit, ProTaxi Targets 1,000 Drivers With October 1 Launch

By Adedapo Adesanya

Promise Land is set to launch its ProTaxi e-hailing platform on October 1, 2026, with plans to empower 1,000 drivers across Nigeria.

The planned launch comes weeks after global ride-hailing company Uber discontinued its operations in Nigeria after 12 years in the country.

Uber announced its exit effective September 2, 2026, following a review of its business priorities and investment focus across Africa.

Promise Land, which has opened registration for prospective drivers ahead of the launch, said ProTaxi is designed to provide affordable, safe and convenient transportation services while creating economic opportunities for drivers.

The company said the platform would also promote the use of green-energy and environmentally friendly vehicles as part of its approach to urban mobility.

The chief executive of Promise Land, Mr Lawrence Oloche Emmanuel, said the initiative was designed to combine transportation services with economic empowerment, noting that the programme would directly support 1,000 drivers and, by extension, their households.

Mr Emmanuel said the October 1 launch was part of the company’s efforts to introduce a Nigerian-owned e-hailing platform capable of creating jobs while contributing to cleaner transportation.

“ProTaxi is about empowerment, innovation and providing Nigerians with a cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation alternative. Through this initiative, we are creating opportunities for 1,000 drivers and, by extension, supporting 1,000 households,” Mr Emmanuel said.

ProTaxi is expected to connect passengers with registered drivers through its digital platform, with features including ride booking, live-location sharing, driver verification and ride tracking.

The development adds a new entrant to Nigeria’s highly competitive ride-hailing market following Uber’s departure, with existing operators such as Bolt and inDrive continuing to compete in the sector despite Uber’s exit.

Another local firm, Shuttlers, has launched Shuttlers Pod, a door-to-door shared car service that picks up to four commuters from their homes, one after the other, and drops each person at their own destination.