Prominent ride-hailing start-up, Uber Technology Inc. has officially launched its boat-hailing service, ‘UberBOAT’, in Lagos.

Prominent ride-hailing start-up, Uber Technology Inc. has officially launched its boat-hailing service, 'UberBOAT', in Lagos.

UberBOAT launch in Nigeria is the second recipient of the boat service in Africa, following Egypt where it was launched in 2017, and one of the earliest in the world after Mumbai in India and Croatia.

Jide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor at UberBOAT launch; Image credit: Techcabal on Twitter

The announcement was made by Uber West Africa GM, Lola Kassim at the launch event which was kicked of by Lagos state governor, Jide Sanwo-Olu today, in Lagos.

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 · Oct 11, 2019

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Lagos state governor H.E. @jidesanwoolu just arrived to kick off the launch of Uber Boat.

TechCabal

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Uber West Africa GM Lola Kassim has just announced the launch of Uber Boat. She says it is Uber's first boat offering on the continent.

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2:17 AM - Oct 11, 2019

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Speaking at the launch Governor Sanwo-Olu said that he was enthusiastic about Uber Boat, and added that his government wants people to move across the city as quickly as possible.

Recall that earlier in July, TechNext reported that Uber's chief business officer Brooks Entwistle said the company was in talks with Lagos state government and regulatory authorities to start to launch UberBoats service to carry commuters in the Lagos to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Uber boats on the Five Cowries shore in Ikoyi Lagos;
Image credit: Techcabal on Twitter

According to Uber, the boat service will work in partnership with Texas Connection Ferries, a local boat operator, and the Lagos State Waterways Authority.

"This initiative is aimed at providing commuters with an easy and affordable way to get in and out of the city's business districts,"

Extract from statement by Uber

with an estimated population of 22 million, Lagos is known for its traffic congestion that has commuters spending hours on the road. However, 25% of its landmass consisting of water bodies, making commuting by water provides a good transportation option to tap in order to help its residents beat the constant traffic that plagues them while commuting.

Uber boat in Cairo

Uber disclosed that the pilot phase will operate on weekdays from 0700 GMT to 1600 GMT on a fixed route from the Ikorodu Ferry Terminal on the mainland and Five Cowries Terminal on the island and commuters will be charged a flat fare of 500 Naira per trip.

The pilot will last for two weeks, going four trips a day and carrying up to 35 people on a boat.

Uber joins competitors Gokada, who has launched its boat-hailing service, GBoat, in Lagos' water transport space.