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Uber resumes services in Tanzania

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Uber arrived in Tanzania in 2016. /AFP

Ride-hailing giant Uber has resumed its services in Tanzania, it said on Wednesday, settling a fare dispute with the government.

Uber suspended services in the East African country last April after the government introduced legislation capping maximum commission from drivers at 15 percent from the previous 33 percent.

Uber said the new regulations made it difficult to continue operating while the government defended them as maintaining competition and ensuring affordable taxis. 

After months of negotiations, Tanzania’s transport regulator last month allowed ride-hailing companies to charge up to 25 percent commission and a 3.5-percent booking fee. 

“We are excited to kick off the year on such a positive note by re-entering the Tanzanian market,” Uber said in a statement. 

“It is our priority to provide a platform where drivers can make substantial earnings while providing convenient and reliable options for riders In Tanzania.”

The San Francisco-based company, founded in 2009, arrived in Tanzania in 2016, capitalising on the country’s low levels of personal car ownership and lack of efficient mass transport.

AFP

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Milton Nyakundi

Milton Nyakundi is a veteran multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience across broadcast, digital, and print media, who relocated to the United States in 2022 and is now the Senior International Correspondent for Kurunzi News based in Washington, DC, USA. He has previously worked with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), among other high-profile roles with Kenya's first privately-owned media outlet - Kenya Television Network. His experience also include prominent roles as Media Consultant for Football Kenya Federation (FKF), and StarTimes Kenya. His career spans high‑stakes political reporting covering legislative and constitutional issues, elections, governance, and accountability across Kenya, Africa, and global arenas. He also boasts extensive sports journalism experience, covering local and international sports events, including leagues, tournaments and sports governance. He is well-known for his investigative depth, editorial leadership, and evidence-driven journalism that guides his consistent delivery of public‑interest storytelling across platforms.

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