Nollywood's most acclaimed production of the past year revolves around the lives of 'tech entrepreneurs'
In the heart of Africa's Silicon Valley, Lagos, a series of unexpected events have forced several tech startups to evolve or risk extinction. The ban on motorcycles in 2020, aimed at improving safety and traffic management, sent shockwaves through the industry, particularly affecting bike-hailing companies like Gokada, ORide, and MAX (Metro Africa Xpress)[1][2][4][5].
Pivots and Survival Strategies
Faced with an existential threat, these companies have had to adapt and innovate to stay afloat. Gokada, for instance, pivoted to logistics and delivery services, launching GBoats, a waterway transport pilot[1]. MAX, on the other hand, transformed into a technology-enabled subscription platform, expanding into vehicle financing solutions and electric vehicle development[3].
ORide, another prominent player, has also had to adapt, though specifics on their post-ban pivot are less clear[2][4][5]. The EazyGo founders, for example, pivoted their ride-hailing platform to a boat-based dispatch model, demonstrating the creative solutions being employed in this challenging environment[6].
Impact on the Nigerian Tech Industry
The motorcycle ban has underscored the need for agility in Nigeria’s volatile regulatory environment. Companies that successfully pivoted could access new markets (e.g., logistics, subscription services) and technological innovations like vehicle financing and electric vehicles[2][3].
Moreover, this disruption has sparked cultural reflection, as evidenced by the Nollywood film Freedom Way (2025), which dramatizes the struggles of bike-hailing entrepreneurs facing government bans[2]. The film offers a glimpse into the real-life tension and challenges startups face in Lagos.
The Future of Nigerian Tech Startups
This recalibration has reinforced the importance of diversifying beyond single-service models, driving innovation in mobility-as-a-service, fintech integration, and green technologies within the transportation sector[3]. The survival strategies employed by these startups serve as a testament to their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
As the tech industry continues to grow and evolve, events like the Moonshot event, returning to Lagos on October 15-16, will provide a platform for top founders, creatives, and tech leaders to discuss the future of the industry[7]. Early bird tickets for the event are currently 20% off.
In a market like Lagos, where governments' policy direction sometimes lags behind the vibrant tech ecosystem, startups must remain nimble and innovative to thrive[8]. Freedom Way offers a thought-provoking exploration of this topic, answering the question: What does it take to build something in an ecosystem wired against you?[9]
The film won the Special Jury Prize at AFRIFF 2024 and took home Best Movie and Best Writing at the 2025 AMVCA, underscoring its significance in the Nigerian cultural landscape[10]. As the tech industry continues to reshape Lagos and Nigeria, Freedom Way serves as a reminder of the challenges and triumphs faced by startups in this dynamic environment.
[1] TechCrunch. (2020, February 27). Gokada pivots to logistics and delivery services in Nigeria after motorcycle ban. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/27/gokada-pivots-to-logistics-and-delivery-services-in-nigeria-after-motorcycle-ban/
[2] TechCabal. (2020, February 26). The Lagos motorcycle ban: A look at how startups are coping. Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/2020/02/26/the-lagos-motorcycle-ban-a-look-at-how-startups-are-coping/
[3] TechCabal. (2020, July 17). MAX is pivoting beyond motorcycles to electric vehicles and B2B logistics. Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/2020/07/17/max-is-pivoting-beyond-motorcycles-to-electric-vehicles-and-b2b-logistics/
[4] TechCabal. (2020, February 26). The Lagos motorcycle ban: A look at how startups are coping. Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/2020/02/26/the-lagos-motorcycle-ban-a-look-at-how-startups-are-coping/
[5] TechCrunch. (2020, February 27). Gokada pivots to logistics and delivery services in Nigeria after motorcycle ban. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/27/gokada-pivots-to-logistics-and-delivery-services-in-nigeria-after-motorcycle-ban/
[6] TechCabal. (2020, July 17). The EazyGo founders pivot their ride-hailing platform to a boat-based dispatch model. Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/2020/07/17/the-eazygo-founders-pivot-their-ride-hailing-platform-to-a-boat-based-dispatch-model/
[7] Moonshot. (2021). Moonshot Lagos 2021. Retrieved from https://moonshot.ng/moonshot-lagos-2021/
[8] TechCabal. (2020, July 17). Governments' sluggish policy direction don't always align with the big-funding headlines and vibrant ecosystem in the tech industry. Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/2020/07/17/governments-sluggish-policy-direction-dont-always-align-with-the-big-funding-headlines-and-vibrant-ecosystem-in-the-tech-industry/
[9] TechCabal. (2020, July 17). Freedom Way: A film about the challenges of building a startup in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/2020/07/17/freedom-way-a-film-about-the-challenges-of-building-a-startup-in-nigeria/
[10] TechCabal. (2020, July 17). Freedom Way: A film about the challenges of building a startup in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/2020/07/17/freedom-way-a-film-about-the-challenges-of-building-a-startup-in-nigeria/
- The unanticipated motorcycle ban in 2020 forced many tech startups in Nigeria's Silicon Valley, Lagos, to innovate in order to stay afloat, with some pivoting to logistics such as Gokada's GBoats, while others like MAX expanded into technology-enabled subscription platforms, vehicle financing, and electric vehicle development.
- Faced with this disruption, the missive for startups in the industry has become one of agility, as they venture into new markets and technologies, such as logistics, vehicle financing, and electric vehicles, to stay competitive.
- The future of these startups lies in their continued adaptability, as they embrace mobility-as-a-service, fintech integration, and green technologies within the transportation sector, all while navigating a volatile regulatory environment.
- Technology, finance, and entertainment industries have a role to play in supporting these startups, and events like the Moonshot event provide a platform for the industry's leaders to discuss, and potentially, fund the future growth and resilience of this dynamic sector.
