Today, Uber increases its offering to two additional African cities, expanding its technology platform to the people of Mombasa, Kenya and Abuja, Nigeria. With the addition of these two cities, the taxi service adds its 399th and 400th city respectively.

Alon Lits, General Manager, Uber Sub Saharan Africa says, "We're really excited to be launching Uber in these two great African cities, providing locals and visitors with a safe, affordable and flexible choice to move around their city."

According to Uber, reasons to establish the service in Mombasa include the City's natural beauty, its attraction as a tourist destination and its position as a cultural and economic hub.

Nate Anderson, acting General Manager for Uber Kenya expressed his delight at the decision to roll out the service in the coastal city. "We're really excited to be launching Uber in Mombasa. Giving locals and visitors in Mombasa an affordable, easy and flexible choice to move around the city safely and reliably."

Uber describes Abuja as a growing city in the heart of Nigeria where entrepreneurs are born and says these characteristics resonate with the company.

Lits adds, "Uber is part of a broader evolution in transportation, it is an exciting platform that is changing the way we travel and shaping the future of cities across the world. These cities are progressive, forward-thinking cities that have a need for safe, reliable and efficient transportation and we are so excited to be venturing further into Africa."

Controversy

However, Uber's operation in Kenya specifically has been met with some degree of controversy.

In early February Nairobi taxi drivers issued the government with an ultimatum to suspend Uber's local operation or face widespread protest action.

At the time the Kenya United Taxi Organisation said the international taxi hailing company's low fares has negatively impacted local taxi trade and the organisation also accused Uber of not paying county council fees.

Uber has responded with a statement saying any situation where driver or rider safety is put at risk is unacceptable.

"Safety, reliability and choice, not violence, are what continue to draw people towards Uber's driver-partners as well as alternative transportation service providers. Uber is in open dialogue with the authorities, and we remain committed to that dialogue in response to today's incident," according to a company spokesperson.