Uber enters agreement with Ghana's Transport Ministry

Uber, the online taxi hailing service that began operations in Ghana’s capital, over the weekend has entered an agreement with Ghana’s Ministry of Transport to develop holistic policy guidelines for taxi hailing operations.

Ghana becomes one of the first countries on the continent to sign the ‘Statement of Understanding’ (SOU) with Uber, whose operations in other parts of the continent have received resistance from traditional taxi drivers.

Fiifi Kwetey, Minister for Transport signed the SOU along with Alon Lits, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa at the launch of Uber’s operations in Accra. Uber launched in Accra with free rides over the last week.

Friends in Accra, remember Uber is FREE this weekend! Sign up & unlock 6 rides: https://t.co/whyrOrLGw8 #MoveGHANA pic.twitter.com/bhDjEVjbPb

— Uber Ghana (@Uber_Ghana) June 10, 2016

According to Lits, “The SOU is a fantastic first step for Ghana to become a smart city of the future and shows the critical role technology will play in creating thousands of economic opportunities for Ghanaians as well as assisting in reducing congestion on roads.’‘

‘‘Ghana is a top priority for Uber and we are excited about this agreement to update regulations, drive innovation, create thousands of entrepreneurship opportunities, and provide safe, reliable transport options for the people of Ghana,” he added.

About the SOU

Under the SOU, Uber would partner the ministry to produce regulatory framework that allows for ride sharing technology and also regulate its use and adoption by both riders, drivers and companies that use it to source business.

The agreement is in furtherance of ongoing talks on growing the shared economy and the benefits of efficiency and competition in the form of increased choice and lower costs of transport for Ghanaians.