Uber is expanding to Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation known for its beaches, lagoons, and reefs. That is according to a job advert on the company's website. Uber is looking for an individual, whose title is Country Lead. They will be charged with the operations as well as the launch of Uber in Mauritius.
Uber is now making five years since it first launched in Africa in August 2013, with Johannesburg as their first city. Yet, in the period, it has expanded to 8 African countries with Mauritius now the 8th.
The other 8 countries are; South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, and Egypt. Though, in February this year, they suspended operations in Morocco after two years as it tries to bring its business into line with local laws.
In November last year, Reuters reported that Uber was planning an expansion into more African countries. They were looking for new markets in Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, and the wider southern African region.
Though Justin Spratt, head of business development for the sub-Saharan region, told Reuters that they had not yet taken a decision on where to go next.
Also read: Taxido is the latest to join Africa’s ride-hailing space
Additionally, in August this year, the company was weighing in its options of whether to or not to enter Rwanda.
According to, the Head of Transport at Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA), Eng. Emmanuel Asaba, both Uber, and Little approached were looking at setting up in the country.
I thought it was ridiculous that Uber was considering entering a market of 12 million people when there are other markets that have way more.
Yet, now, it is even more ridiculous that they are considering a country with less than 2 million people. It would be interesting to find out the criteria the company considers when entering a new market.