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Uber plans to drive into four new cities in Kenya, which are Eldoret, Nakuru, Naivasha, and Kisumu.

Entry into the four new cities increases Uber’s presence in East Africa to eight cities in the region. The company says it has completed 1 billion trips in Africa since its launch in 2013.

The company has also launched UberXL in Nairobi, which provides seating for up to six people and more space for luggage. Uber said its new ChapChap Share allows for shared ride that gives up to 30 per cent of savings on trip fares when a rider is paired with a co-rider.

“We are committed to East Africa, a key contributor to the growth of our business in Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Imran Manji, Head of East Africa.

“We’re passionate about helping people travel and discover their city with ease and helping drivers increase earning opportunities.”

The introduction of UberX Share, he noted, “allows us to proudly demonstrate the power of our platform, understanding the ability to match rider destinations while delivering convenience and affordability”.

“We are a global company that builds locally; and in Ghana, we tapped into the local culture of car-pooling when moving around, which makes this product a great fit for the market,” Mr Manji said.

The ride-hailing company said it is Safety Check Up across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to encourage riders to complete their safety profile by turning on and utilising the available features such as Trusted Contacts, PIN verification, and Ride Check.

Uber Comfort, which is currently available in South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire, will now be offered in Ghana. The service targets riders looking for an upgrade to their everyday ride with extra comfort. Uber Comfort is meant to go an extra mile in provision of convenience.

Uber Connect, now available in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ghana, will soon make entry into two additional cities in Nigeria.