In a bid to improve digital accessibility, Safaricom and Uber have announced a partnership to provide free data for Uber and Uber Eats users in Kenya. The move, aimed at reducing data costs, allows drivers, delivery partners, and riders to use the Uber apps without incurring any mobile data charges, making the services more affordable and accessible.
The initiative zero-rates the Uber and Uber Eats applications, meaning Safaricom subscribers can access both apps at no cost. This partnership responds to a common challenge among Kenyans—limited access to affordable data—a barrier highlighted in a recent survey by Uber. “Through this partnership with Safaricom, we can help bridge the gap in accessing data for many Kenyans, enabling them to rely on safe and convenient mobility options,” stated Imran Manji, Uber’s Head of East Africa. “For drivers, this translates to savings as they no longer need to purchase data specifically for using the Uber app.”
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, highlighted the company’s commitment to expanding access to essential services. “This partnership is part of our goal to provide customers with innovative solutions that allow them access to critical services, even without data bundles or airtime, by collaborating with organizations like Uber,” he said. The zero-rating initiative aligns with Safaricom’s broader mission to leverage technology for social impact and enhance service accessibility.
For users to benefit from this free data access, they must ensure that any VPN blockers on their devices are disabled. Additionally, Uber advises toggling Airplane Mode off and on before using the service to activate the free data.
