Development Studies Seminars session examines Uber work in three African cities

Does choosing when to log on to the app make drivers truly autonomous? This question was at the heart of the session Hailing Power: Working for Uber in 3 African Cities, led by Matteo Rizzo, a lecturer at SOAS, University of London and Sapienza University of Rome, and moderated by Professor Alexandre Abreu. The session took place at ISEG on 2 November.

Drawing on his research with drivers in Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg and Nairobi, Professor Rizzo examined how platforms organise work and shape drivers’ experiences. The ability to accept rides and set their own schedules can create a sense of freedom. At the same time, algorithms influence prices, access to rides and customer ratings, while account deactivation can cut drivers off from their main source of income.

The classification of drivers as independent partners was another topic discussed. This contractual relationship lies in a grey area between autonomy and dependence: drivers bear costs and risks associated with the work, while the platform retains influence over how the service is provided. The promise of flexibility can therefore coexist with long working hours and limited protection in situations such as accidents or loss of income.

Drivers do not all experience this reality in the same way. Access to a vehicle is a decisive factor: some drive their own cars, while others rent them from third parties, sometimes through informal arrangements. This difference affects costs, earning opportunities and perceptions of independence. Previous work experience and the lack of employment alternatives also help explain why many see platform work as a viable option, despite its limitations.

The analysis also addressed violence and conflicts between platform drivers and established taxi operators.

CEsA thanks Matteo Rizzo for his presentation and for sharing his research, and Professor Alexandre Abreu for moderating the session.

The session was part of the Development Studies Seminars 2026/2027, organised by CEsA/ISEG Research/ISEG/ULisboa and the Master’s in Development and International Cooperation (MDCI).

Author: CEsA Communications (CEsA/ISEG Research/ULisboa)
Image: CEsA Communications