During the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC), global e-hailing giant Uber committed to investing R5 billion in the country over the next few years in a bid to improve mobility and delivery.
According to Uber’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Deepesh Thomas, the conference marked a shift from announcements to implementation, with a focus on how investments impact people on the ground.
“At Uber, we believe that the true measure of an investment is not the figure typed into a spreadsheet, but the heartbeat of the economy it sustains,” said Thomas.
“It is found in the student in Mamelodi reaching an exam on time; the restaurant owner in Soweto reaching new customers via a digital storefront, and the driver-partner building a family legacy, one trip at a time.”
He added that Uber’s commitment is a vote of confidence in South Africa’s “hustle” culture, and a primary contribution towards the country’s goal of attracting more than R2 trillion in new investments.
The e-hailer noted that it expects its commitment to expand earning opportunities across the platform, especially for drivers, delivery partners, and small businesses.
According to Uber, more than 100,000 earners are already using its platform, and its new investment will lower the barriers to entry through incentives like fuel support, vehicle financing models and other partnerships.
Broader economic support and job creation
Uber’s investment is expected to continue to support small businesses in South Africa, which it already does through partnerships with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
Together, they have already digitised over 2,000 township enterprises, enabling them to reach more customers through delivery services such as Uber Eats.
As part of the R5 billion investment, Uber will fund innovation tailored to South African conditions, which include the expansion of motorcycle services and investment in electric vehicles.
“We are expanding Uber Moto to provide affordable, last-mile connectivity in areas where traditional public transport may not reach,” said Thomas.
We are also doubling down on our ‘Green’ initiatives, partnering with fleet providers to accelerate the rollout of Electric Vehicles and alternative vehicle financing models, such as our work with Moove.”
Despite the emphasis being on investment, Thomas noted that expanded job creation depends on a supportive regulatory environment, and called for forward-thinking regulations that recognise the role of the platform economy.
“For a driver-partner, an operating license is more than a regulatory requirement – it is a license to earn. It represents the dignity of legal work and the security of knowing their livelihood is protected,” he said.
“We are committed to working hand-in-hand with the Department of Transport and local authorities to streamline these processes.”
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