Uber Technologies Inc, a global transportation network company operating in 606 cities worldwide, is targeting to enroll one million women driver-partners into its network by 2020.
To this end, the company has started giving more opportunities to women driver-partners and fleet owners in Ghana, Nigeria and others countries.
Uber recently expanded its business to Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest city after a successful operation in Accra.
Uber’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Alon Lits told journalists in Accra that, “after launching our operation in Accra, Ghana last year, we expanded the business to the Kumasi metropolis to serve the people in that part of the country”.
The decision to start operation in the taxi cab market in Kumasi is based on the commercial activities of the Ashanti Regional capital, he added.
“Uber has proven popular across the world’s cities for its provision of affordable, safe and reliable transport. Through an easy-to-use platform, it connects drivers with riders in real time, at the touch of a button. We are bringing that experience to Kumasi”, Mr Lits said.
Mr Lits revealed that more taxi drivers would be added to the Uber driver-partners very soon to enable them serve Accra and its surrounding communities.
“The technology and flexibility of the Uber app enables driver-partners to start, run and grow a small business on their own terms. By offering skills development in financial management, Uber can assist entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses”.
He also used the opportunity to dispel the erroneous impression that Uber does not respect the tax laws of the West African country.
Mr Lits maintained that the company does respect the tax laws of Ghana and everywhere it operates.
Contributing to the discussion, Country Manager Ghana at Uber, Kofi Agyare said: “Since Uber launched in Accra in 2016, key members of the Uber Policy and Operations teams have been constantly engaging with relevant policy makers, regulators and stakeholders to showcase the benefits that technology can bring to public transport”.
“We are aware that real change will take time to manifest, we know that it will require investment and the adaptation of existing transport structures. However, we are convinced that if we continue to work together with the government, we can achieve our goal of continued creation of economic opportunities.”
Some the Uber driver-partners who were at the event lauded Uber for bringing the business to Ghana, saying it has been beneficial to them and the country at large.
Picture caption: From (L-R): Fredrick Frimpong; Greenlight and Operations Manager, Uber Ghana, Jackie Omotalade; Policy Lead West Africa, Uber, Alon Lits; General Manager Sub-Saharan Africa, Uber and Kofi Agyare; Country Manager, Ghana at the launch of Uber in Kumasi
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report
