Global ride-hailing platform Uber has pledged R5 billion over the next few years towards South Africa’s mobility, delivery and digital economy, a move that underscores how investment commitments made at SAIC are expected to directly support employment and income opportunities for ordinary citizens.
Uber’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Deepesh Thomas, said the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) marked a shift from announcements to implementation, with a focus on how investments impact people on the ground.
“At Uber, we believe that the true measure of an investment is not the figure typed into a spreadsheet, but the heartbeat of the economy it sustains.
“It is found in the student in Mamelodi reaching an exam on time; the restaurant owner in Soweto reaching new customers via a digital storefront, and the driver-partner building a family legacy, one trip at a time,” Thomas said.
Thomas added that this commitment is a vote of confidence in the South African "hustle" and a primary contribution toward the national goal of mobilising R2 trillion in new investment.
From investment to income opportunities
The company’s commitment is expected to expand earning opportunities across its platform, particularly for drivers, delivery partners and small businesses operating in townships and urban centres.
Uber says more than 100,000 earners already use its platform, with the new investment aimed at lowering barriers to entry through incentives such as fuel support, vehicle financing models and partnerships that reduce operating costs.
For many South Africans, particularly young people and those in the informal sector, such platforms provide what Thomas describes as a “license to earn” offering a pathway into the economy where traditional jobs are scarce.
Supporting township economies
Beyond individual earners, the investment is also expected to support small businesses. Through partnerships with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Uber has already helped digitise over 2,000 township enterprises, enabling them to reach more customers through delivery services.
This has generated an estimated R1 billion in value for local merchants, demonstrating how digital platforms can formalise and grow previously underserved parts of the economy.
By scaling these initiatives, Uber aims to deepen its contribution to economic activity while supporting job creation indirectly through expanded business opportunities.
Driving innovation and future jobs
Part of the R5 billion pledge will fund innovation tailored to South African conditions, including the expansion of motorbike services for last-mile delivery and investment in electric vehicles.
“We are expanding Uber Moto to provide affordable, last-mile connectivity in areas where traditional public transport may not reach. We are also doubling down on our "Green" initiatives, partnering with fleet providers to accelerate the rollout of Electric Vehicles and alternative vehicle financing models, such as our work with Moove,” Thomas said.
These initiatives are expected to create new types of work within the transport and green economy sectors, while also improving access to affordable mobility for commuters.
Enabling environment key to job creation
While investment is critical, Thomas emphasised that job creation also depends on a supportive regulatory environment.
He called for clear and forward-looking regulations that recognise the role of the platform economy, arguing that efficient licensing systems can unlock more opportunities for drivers and small operators.
“For a driver-partner, an operating license is more than a regulatory requirement - it is a #LicenseToEarn. It represents the dignity of legal work and the security of knowing their livelihood is protected. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with the Department of Transport and local authorities to streamline these processes,” he said.
SAIC’s impact on citizens
The Uber investment reflects a broader message emerging from SAIC: that large-scale investment commitments are not only about economic growth, but about creating sustainable livelihoods.
As South Africa works towards its investment targets, the focus is increasingly on ensuring that these commitments translate into real benefits for citizens, from job creation and skills development to greater financial inclusion.
With implementation now in focus, the success of SAIC will ultimately be measured by how effectively these investments improve everyday lives across the country. – SAnews.gov.za
