Uber and Safaricom Partner to Offer Free Data Access Across Kenya

Uber has partnered with Safaricom to provide free mobile data access for users of the Uber and Uber Eats applications.

This collaboration ensures that drivers, delivery partners, riders, and merchants can utilize the platforms without incurring data charges, with Uber covering the associated costs. The partnership addresses a barrier identified through Uber's market research: insufficient access to mobile data, particularly affecting users of services like Uber Boda. Imran Manji, Head of East Africa at Uber, emphasizes the company's commitment to understanding local market dynamics, noting that the initiative will generate cost savings for drivers while promoting reliable and safe mobility solutions across Kenya.

Despite Kenya's significant progress in internet connectivity, a notable digital divide persists, particularly in rural and peri-urban regions. This disparity has been acknowledged in the Kenya National Digital Masterplan 2022-2032, which identifies enhanced ICT access as a crucial driver of economic growth. The Uber-Safaricom partnership specifically targets this challenge, with a focus on supporting youth demographics who face internet accessibility constraints. Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa frames the partnership within the company's broader strategy of providing innovative solutions to customers facing connectivity challenges.

To facilitate access to this free data service, users need only ensure their VPN blockers are disabled and toggle their device's Airplane Mode. The partnership marks a milestone in Uber's decade-long presence in Kenya, during which the company has launched more than nine distinct products. These offerings range from environmentally conscious solutions like Uber Electric Boda to premium services such as Uber Reserve and the recently introduced Uber Comfort, all designed to integrate seamlessly into consumers' daily mobility needs.

The initiative aligns perfectly with governmental efforts to expand ICT access and stimulate economic development, while creating a more inclusive digital ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. Their joint efforts extend beyond data access, encompassing plans to enhance road safety, provide comprehensive driver training, and promote sustainable transportation alternatives.