Bolt secures South African licence with €250M investment pledge

Bolt has become a major player in South Africa’s ride-hailing industry, competing on price, service availability, and local relevance. The company has now secured its operating licence from the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR), reinforcing its long-term commitment to the country. Since launching in South Africa, Bolt has expanded rapidly. Over 500,000 drivers have joined its platform, serving more than 30 million passengers who have used the service at least once. The country has become one of Bolt’s largest and fastest-growing markets worldwide.

The company has invested R3 billion (around €150 million) in South Africa over the past decade. Recently, it pledged an additional €100 million over three years (2024–2027) to improve global safety features. This funding will support driver training, vehicle checks, and emergency response systems.

Bolt also backs local entrepreneurship. In 2025, its first Accelerator Programme provided over R400,000 in seed funding to ten South African startups. The initiative aims to foster innovation within the mobility sector. Bolt’s ongoing investments highlight its confidence in South Africa as a key growth market. The company’s focus on safety, economic participation, and local partnerships strengthens its position in the country’s transport sector. With millions of users and drivers already on board, its expansion shows no signs of slowing.