Kathmandu: Uber, the world’s premier ride-sharing application, officially launched its services in Nepal on Friday, marking a major expansion into one of South Asia’s most dynamic and rapidly growing urban markets.
By introducing its world-class mobility platform to Nepali users, Uber aims to transform the local transportation landscape, making Nepal its 11th market in the Asia-Pacific region. This move is particularly significant as it represents the company’s first new market entry in South Asia in over a decade, serving as a strategic milestone in its global growth journey.
To cater to the diverse commuting needs of the country, Uber has unveiled both four-wheeler and two-wheeler services. The car-hailing segment includes ‘Uber Go’ and ‘Uber Comfort,’ while ‘Uber Bike’ has been introduced to provide quick and efficient motorcycle rides through the city’s busy streets.
These offerings are designed to provide residents with a seamless, reliable, and modern alternative for daily travel. Furthermore, with Uber operating in over 70 countries, the launch ensures that both residents in Kathmandu and international travellers can enjoy a consistent and familiar experience through a single, unified app.
During the launch event, Dominic Taylor, Uber’s Regional General Manager for Asia Pacific, expressed his excitement about integrating Nepal into the company’s global network. He characterized Nepal as a vibrant market with high digital literacy and significant tourism potential, noting that the company’s entry is tailored to serve the evolving requirements of local passengers, drivers, and visitors.
Government officials also hailed the move; Mukunda Prasad Nirala, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, emphasized that accessible transportation is a cornerstone of the tourism economy, while Gopal Prasad Sigdel, Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, stated that Uber’s arrival reflects growing international confidence in Nepal’s digital and economic future.
The expansion comes at a time when rising smartphone penetration and changing consumer habits in Nepal are creating fertile ground for technology-driven solutions. Uber has committed to leveraging its global expertise to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local drivers while making urban transit more organized.
Since its founding in 2010, Uber has completed more than 75 billion trips worldwide, revolutionizing the way people, food, and goods move across the globe, and it now seeks to bring that same spirit of innovation to the heart of the Himalayas.
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