BD Insider: Uber goes wild

In today’s midweek update, we look at:

• Uber expands into tourism in South Africa with Uber Safari
• Starlink doubles prices in Nigeria
• Carry1st and Audiomack partner to simplify digital payments

Uber expands into tourism in South Africa with Uber Safari

Uber is going wild, but not in a bad sense. The global ride-hailing giant is venturing beyond its core business to offer unique tourism experiences. This service allows tourists in Cape Town to embark on a full-day wildlife adventure to Aquila Private Game Reserve.

For a flat fee of $200, riders can enjoy a round-trip journey, including a guided game drive to spot wild animals. The safari experience is available on Fridays and Saturdays from October 2024 to February 2025.

Riders can choose their preferred date and time, and the app will provide all necessary details. The service includes pick-up and drop-off in Cape Town, as well as a welcome toast and lunch at the game reserve.

Context: Uber Safari is the newest addition to Uber’s ‘Go Anywhere’ series, joining previous launches like Uber Bubbles in Paris, Uber Balloon in Cappadocia, and Uber Boat in Mykonos.

On July 1, 2024, Uber unveiled its new yacht service in Ibiza, Spain, allowing users to pre-book yachts for scenic trips along the island’s coastline. In Venice, Uber also introduced limo boats in August, providing tourists with an easy way to navigate the Venetian Lagoon and access remote locations.

Uber's expansion into tourism is part of its broader strategy to diversify its revenue streams and capitalise on the growing market. While there were concerns that these new services might impact its core ride-hailing business, Uber has so far demonstrated that it can successfully integrate different offerings without compromising its growth.

Starlink doubles prices in Nigeria

Barely a week after Starlink introduced a more affordable kit and residential plan in Kenya, the opposite has occurred in Nigeria. 

The satellite internet company has significantly increased its subscription prices in Nigeria, citing soaring inflation as the primary reason. The standard residential plan with a 1 TB fair usage policy has doubled from ₦38,000 ($24) to ₦75,000 ($48) per month.

Customers who use Starlink to roam will face even higher costs, with local roaming increasing to ₦167,000 ($100) per month from ₦49,000 and international roaming reaching ₦717,000 ($427) per month.

Context: Starlink's pricing in Nigeria has come under criticism for being significantly higher compared to other regions, particularly Kenya. While Starlink remains a popular option in Nigeria, the price of the Starlink kit is set at ₦440,000, with no rental option available, unlike in Kenya. In contrast, Kenyans can opt for a more affordable Starlink Mini kit priced at KES 27,000 ($208.38) and benefit from a cheaper 50GB plan at KES 6,500. 

Nigerian users, however, don’t have access to such cost-effective alternatives, and with upcoming price hikes—effective immediately for new subscribers and from October 31st for existing customers. There’s growing concern that these increased costs may drive away more budget-conscious customers despite the demand for better internet services in the country.

Carry1st and Audiomack partner to simplify digital payments

Africa’s largest mobile games publisher, Carry1st is making a move into the digital payments space. The digital content provider has partnered with Audiomack, a popular music streaming platform, to simplify digital payments for African consumers. 

This collaboration aims to address the challenges faced by users in accessing premium content due to limited payment options.

By leveraging Carry1st's payment product, Pay1st, Audiomack can now offer its paid features to a wider audience, including those who may not have access to traditional payment methods like credit cards. This partnership is a significant step towards expanding access to digital entertainment in Africa.

The collaboration also reflects a growing trend where companies are increasingly embracing cross-industry partnerships to boost user engagement and generate new revenue streams.

By the Numbers

5

The number of music startups in Africa that have raised over $100k in funding. Anghami, Boomplay, Mdundo, Ayoken, and Groove Platforms make up this list.