Lagos state Slams N25m Licensing Fee on Uber and Bolt

The Lagos State Government has announced that Uber and Bolt will have to pay N25,000,000 licensing fee and N10 million renewal fee to operate in the state.

The government is expected to begin the implementation of the new guidelines for Uber, Bolt, and other taxi operators in Lagos State by August 20.

For those that have less than 1000 drivers, they will pay a licensing fee of N10 million and an annual renewal fee of N5 million.

Operators who directly own their cars and employ their drivers will pay only the license fee of N5 million if such operators have below 50 drivers. Those who have over 50 drivers will pay N10 million for the operating license.

Furthermore, ride-hailing operators are also expected to pay 10 percent “service tax” on “each transaction paid by the passengers” and are mandated to renew their licenses three months before the expiration of the current license. These regulations are contained in the Guidelines For Online Hailing Business Operation of Taxi in Lagos State 2020.

Ride fares are expected to go increase as ride-hailing services in Lagos, including Uber, Bolt and private taxi drivers, will begin to operate under the new regulatory dispensation.

In January, the state government placed a ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles in 15 local government areas. The ban exempted other ride-hailing services, such as taxis.