The pilot will begin in Munich in 2026 and, if successful, could expand to other European cities.

The vehicles will be Level 4 autonomous, meaning they can drive without human input within approved zones. At the initial stage, safety operators will remain behind the wheel to monitor operations before the shift to complete autonomy.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s chief executive officer, said: “Germany has shaped the global automotive industry for more than a century, and now Munich will help shape the future with autonomous vehicles.”

Momenta, founded in 2016, has been a central player in China’s self-driving industry. It already runs a robotaxi service in Shanghai and supplies driver-assist technology to carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, and General Motors. Its systems are currently installed in more than 400,000 vehicles worldwide.

For Uber, the driverless cars trial is another step in its strategy of working with multiple autonomous vehicle partners. The company has signed over 20 such agreements across ride-hailing, freight, and delivery, generating more than 1.5 million trips annually. 

In the US, it offers rides with Waymo’s robotaxis in cities like Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. In the Middle East, it has partnered with WeRide and Momenta in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, with further expansion planned for Dubai.

Competition in Europe is also increasing as Lyft has joined forces with Baidu to launch robotaxi services in Germany and the UK from 2026, while Volkswagen has announced plans to roll out its own autonomous fleet with Uber in Los Angeles. UK-based Wayve is also working with Uber to begin Level 4 trials in London.

However, before Uber and Momenta can begin operations in Munich, regulatory approval will be required. German authorities will need to confirm the vehicles meet strict safety standards and authorise their designated operating areas.

If the trials succeed, Munich could become a launchpad for wider adoption of driverless taxis across Europe, placing Uber and Momenta among the first to introduce large-scale robotaxi services on the continent.

This is another step in Europe’s investigation of Chinese tech firms accused of flouting privacy rules.

The Berlin Data Protection Commissioner, Meike Kamp, invoked Article 16 of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in a formal notice to both tech giants, declaring DeepSeek’s app as illegal content under European law. 

At the heart of the matter is the company’s transfer of user data to China, without any of the legal safeguards mandated by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Kamp stated, “DeepSeek has not been able to provide my agency with convincing evidence that German users’ data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that in the European Union.”

That alone would be enough to raise red flags. But the issue runs deeper.

Germany’s investigation found that DeepSeek violated Article 46 of the GDPR, which governs international data transfers. China does not have an EU adequacy decision, a prerequisite for transferring personal data outside Europe without further protections. 

Yet DeepSeek allegedly failed to implement even basic legal mechanisms, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), that could have made such transfers lawful.

According to DeepSeek’s own privacy policy, the app stores an alarming range of personal data, including search queries, chat histories, uploaded documents, and location data, on servers based in China. Nowhere in the policy is GDPR mentioned. No safeguards are outlined. No clarity is given.

This isn’t the first time the company has faced European resistance. Italy’s data protection authority banned DeepSeek earlier this year after it failed to explain how it collects and processes user data. The Netherlands followed shortly after, warning the public not to submit sensitive information through the app.

In the United States, lawmakers are drafting legislation that would prohibit federal agencies from using AI models developed in China. A senior U.S. State Department official told Reuters that “DeepSeek is actively supporting China’s military and intelligence operations, including providing services to PLA research institutions.” 

The same report revealed that the company allegedly used shell companies in Southeast Asia to bypass U.S. export controls and acquire Nvidia H100 chips, restricted hardware used for training advanced AI models.

These concerns have been amplified by DeepSeek’s rapid ascent. The company claimed in January that its AI models, such as DeepSeek-R1 and V3, rival those of OpenAI and Meta—at a fraction of the cost. It reportedly trained its large language model for just $5.6 million, a figure many experts find highly questionable. 

Nevertheless, the apps have surged in popularity, topping download charts across multiple countries, and exposing users’ data to foreign jurisdictions.

Despite repeated requests from German authorities since May, DeepSeek refused to adjust its data practices or withdraw voluntarily from the app stores. With that deadline now past, the commissioner’s office has moved decisively.

Apple and Google are expected to act quickly, but neither company has responded to requests for comment. 

This expansion coincides with the launch of a dedicated travel and tourism division within the agency.

Established in South Africa in 2010, Irvine Partners has grown its pan-African network, with wholly owned offices in Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria.

In late 2020, the agency expanded its international reach with the opening of its London office which is now the group’s headquarters.

The decision to launch the German office alongside a dedicated travel and tourism division is a natural evolution for Irvine Partners.

“Germany and the UK are two of the biggest source markets for tourism into Africa,” says Rachel Irvine, CEO and founder of Irvine Partners. “Given our deep understanding of the continent, its cultures, and its people, Irvine Partners is perfectly positioned to showcase the best of African hospitality, lifestyle and tourism products to these key markets.”

Leading the Irvine Partners team in Germany will be Monika Scheel-Kassai, a seasoned communications professional with over a decade of experience in the German media and PR sectors.

“Driving Irvine Partners’ expansion into Germany is a career highlight and a challenge I can’t wait to take up,” says Scheel-Kassai. “Africa is a continent with a rich tapestry of cultures, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. I am excited to leverage Irvine Partners’ vast African expertise and creative storytelling to showcase some of the continent’s best hotels, lodges, vineyards, and attractions to the German media and public.”

Hitting the ground running with key clients

Irvine Partners Germany has already secured partnerships with several key travel and tourism clients, including the iconic Kruger Gate Hotel, situated minutes from South Africa’s world-renowned Kruger National Park.

“Irvine Partners has been our longstanding communications partner across Africa and the United Kingdom for many years,” says Anton Gillis, CEO of Kruger Gate Hotel. “It naturally made perfect sense to appoint them as our partner for the German market. As a client, I value having one team that understands my business from the ground up. The economies of scale this offers and the unparalleled reach this team brings to the table are invaluable to a business like mine.”

…Joint venture with thepublic

This expansion into Germany will be undertaken as a joint venture with established German communications, influencer, and social media agency, thepublic.

Both Irvine Partners and thepublic are members of PRWA, the global network for independent agencies.

“thepublic has been on the ground for more than 19 years and knows the local market inside out,” Irvine says of the decision to launch as a joint venture “This means we can offer our clients exceptional value and market insight from day one, leveraging thepublic’s established relationships and expertise, combined with Irvine Partners’ Africa-specific specialist insights.”

Shared values and opportunity

Christian Josephi, CEO of thepublic, echoes these sentiments:

“We are delighted to be going into partnership with Irvine Partners,” he says. “Our values are aligned, and the potential for Irvine Partners to introduce German clients to the African media landscape is equally compelling. Together, we can create truly unique and impactful campaigns that bridge the gap between Africa and Europe.”

With a presence in both the UK and Germany, Irvine Partners is well-placed to bridge the gap between African tourism entities and European travellers.

The agency’s deep understanding of African travel destinations and its proven creative communication expertise will allow Irvine Partners to develop and execute targeted campaigns that resonate with European audiences.

The announcement was made by Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, during a bilateral meeting held in Abuja, in collaboration with the German Ministry of Economic Development.

Highlighting the significance of the partnership between Nigeria and Germany, Minister Uzoka-Anite noted the shared commitment of both nations to enhance cooperation in key areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, and access to finance for MSMEs. 

Emphasizing the potential of such collaboration, she reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to revitalizing its industrial sector and fostering inclusive economic growth.

In line with the government’s vision, Minister Uzoka-Anite revealed the establishment of the Presidential Council on Industrial Revitalization, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy. The council, comprising an 11-point agenda, aims to revitalize various sectors of the economy, with a particular focus on leveraging the key role of MSMEs, which contribute approximately 45% to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In response, German Minister Ms. Svenja Schulze acknowledged Nigeria’s status as a longstanding partner of Germany, dating back to 1959. She emphasized the mutual benefits derived from the partnership, noting Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest and most populous economy. Minister Schulze also underlined Germany’s interest in growing markets and highlighted the presence of 90 German companies already active in Nigeria, drawn by the nation’s enthusiastic youth population and entrepreneurial spirit.

However, Minister Schulze also acknowledged Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges, including security threats, resource conflicts, climate change impacts, and population growth. She stressed the importance of addressing underlying causes through holistic approaches, encompassing job creation, energy security, food security, and the empowerment of women.

Speaking on the essence of collaboration, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting small businesses and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. He emphasized the significance of the bilateral meeting, which focused on enhancing cooperation and support for MSMEs across sectors such as agriculture, energy, and entrepreneurship skills development, particularly for women-led businesses.

The bilateral meeting, characterized by candid discussions and mutual cooperation, highlighted the collective resolve of Nigeria and Germany to leverage the potential of MSMEs as drivers of economic growth, innovation, and job creation. With this partnership, stakeholders anticipate tangible outcomes that will transform the MSME sector and contribute to sustainable development across Nigeria’s diverse economic sectors.