BOLT SEES SHARP RISE IN DRIVER APPLICATIONS AFTER UBER EXIT

Ride-hailing company Bolt has recorded a 92 per cent week-on-week increase in driver registrations in Nigeria following Uber’s withdrawal from the Nigerian market. The surge indicates growing interest among drivers seeking alternative platforms to continue operating in the ride-hailing sector.

Bolt, which has operated in Nigeria since 2016, disclosed the increase as the industry adjusts to Uber’s exit after about 12 years of operations in the country. Uber ended its Nigerian services on September 2, leaving drivers and passengers to consider other platforms for their transportation needs.

The company, however, did not disclose the actual number of drivers who registered before and after Uber’s departure, meaning the 92 per cent increase represents the week-on-week change rather than the total size of Bolt’s new driver network.

Bolt’s Senior General Manager for West Africa, Teddy Appa-Dankyi, said the company was encouraged by the increased interest but stressed that safety standards would not be relaxed. He explained that all prospective drivers would continue to undergo the company’s established onboarding and safety checks before being allowed to operate on the platform.

The development comes as Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry faces high fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs and other operational challenges. With Uber no longer operating in the country, Bolt and other platforms are now competing for a larger share of drivers and passengers as the market adjusts to the change.