Nigeria’s business capital Lagos will ban commercial motorcycles from many areas of the city, citing overcrowding and safety, authorities declared on Monday, a move that could affect the commute for thousands and threaten ride-hailing startups.
Companies such as Max.ng, Oride and Gokada have aimed to capitalize on the congested Lagos roads and the city’s teeming population to expand operations.
The ban cites a 2018 law to bar okadas and small three-wheeled vehicles known as kekes from Feb. 1. It will bar them from 40 bridges and flyovers and areas covering the business districts of Victoria Island, Lagos Island, Apapa and Ikeja, which is home to the international airport.
Chinedu Azodoh, cofounder of Max.ng, is hopeful that the ban would not apply to them since their bikes are above the 200 cubic centimeter engine size banned specifically by the law.
“From what we’ve seen today, we don’t think the ban affects our business,” Azodoh said.
The full enforcement begins on February 1, 2020