Uber Will Finally Face A Rival In Africa It Won’t Be Able To Beat So Easily

Safaricom—best known for the creation of world’s most used mobile money platform, M-pesa—is launching a ride-hailing service in Kenya that will equip cars with free wifi, M-Pesa payment options, and connectivity on the Safaricom network. It will be called Little Cabs, according to the company’s chief executive Bob Collymore.

“It is effectively a rival for Uber,” Collymore said in an interview with Reuters this week. “It is a local competitor which will be cheaper and better for the local community.”

In response to the news, Samantha Allenberg, a spokesperson for Uber Africa told Quartz, “We do not focus on competitors but rather spend our time thinking about how we can better the experience for riders and driver-partners. However, Uber loves choice as it creates competition and a better experience for the consumers.”

Safaricom—best known for the creation of world’s most used mobile money platform, M-pesa—is launching a ride-hailing service in Kenya that will equip cars with free wifi, M-Pesa payment options, and connectivity on the Safaricom network. It will be called Little Cabs, according to the company’s chief executive Bob Collymore.

“It is effectively a rival for Uber,” Collymore said in an interview with Reuters this week. “It is a local competitor which will be cheaper and better for the local community.”

In response to the news, Samantha Allenberg, a spokesperson for Uber Africa told Quartz, “We do not focus on competitors but rather spend our time thinking about how we can better the experience for riders and driver-partners. However, Uber loves choice as it creates competition and a better experience for the consumers.”