Uber to lay off 3,000 staff in global restructuring amid Nigeria, Uganda exit

Uber says it is cutting more than 3,000 jobs worldwide as part of a major restructuring plan to reduce management layers and refocus spending on its core business.

According to a BBC report, the cuts amount to roughly 10 percent of Uber’s global workforce, bringing staffing back to levels last seen in 2021.

Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive officer (CEO) of Uber, told staff in a company email that the global ride-hailing company had expanded quickly but accumulated too many layers and small teams that slowed decision-making.

In the email cited by the BBC, Khosrowshahi said the reductions would put Uber in a better position for its “biggest opportunities ahead of us”.

The move is reportedly one of Uber’s largest restructurings in years, signalling a shift towards a leaner operating model.

Uber said the cuts affect both managers and non-managers, with many of its smallest teams to be folded into larger groups.

Khosrowshahi said the changes are intended to make Uber “simpler” and “faster”, while freeing up money to reinvest in areas central to its future.

The restructuring comes as Uber reportedly increases investment in autonomous vehicle partnerships and expands its ride-hailing, delivery, and robotaxi operations.

Uber is also said to be tightening its office strategy, asking nearly all employees to work in person at designated hubs and limiting remote roles to about 1 percent.

Analysts told the BBC that the layoffs could generate up to $2 billion in annual savings.

The latest job cut is expected to bring Uber’s workforce back to just under 30,000 people, roughly where it stood before its most recent period of expansion.

Uber’s restructuring comes as it ended its operations in Nigeria and Uganda.

The company announced that it would discontinue its services in Nigeria effective September 2 due to “evolving business priorities and investment focus across the continent”.