Bolt has invested R3 billion (€150 million) into South Africa over the past decade, underscoring the country’s importance as one of its largest and fastest-growing shared mobility markets globally and signalling further expansion through new funding and safety investments.
Simo Kalajdzic, Senior Operations Manager at Bolt, said “South Africa has been one of Bolt’s most important markets globally over the past decade. Our R3 billion investment reflects not just our growth, but our belief in the role that platform-based mobility plays in driving economic participation. The milestone highlights both the scale of the business and its role in supporting economic activity”.
Kalajdzic added “What matters most is the real impact on people, whether it’s a driver building a sustainable income, a rider accessing affordable transport, or a small business reaching more customers. As we look ahead, we remain committed to deepening our investment in safety, innovation, and opportunities for South Africans across the platform.”
Since entering the market, 30 million passengers have used the platform at least once, and 500,000 drivers onboarded, positioning the platform as a major force in both urban mobility and South Africa’s expanding gig economy. The scale reflects strong consumer demand, while also highlighting the growing role of platform-based work in supporting incomes in a constrained labour market.
Bolt’s investment strategy has increasingly focused on building a broader mobility ecosystem. Its Gig Economy Report with Ipsos points to the platform’s role in enabling income generation, while newer initiatives are aimed at supporting entrepreneurship and lowering barriers to entry.
In 2025, Bolt committed over R400,000 in seed funding to ten entrepreneurs through its inaugural Accelerator Programme, which attracted more than 578 applications and included a business bootcamp for 120 participants focused on fintech, mobility, and locally relevant transport solutions.
The company was also expanding access to vehicles and improving driver economics through partnerships such as the Bajaj project and fleet financing initiatives with partners like MyNextCar, which had recently secured $10 million to roll out 1,500 new vehicles.
Safety remains a central focus of ongoing investment. Bolt has committed €100 million over three years (2024–2027) to enhance safety features globally, including in-app audio recording, rider verification, trip monitoring, and 24/7 safety support. Its Safety Perception Index Report with Ipsos shows improving confidence among users as these features are rolled out.
In parallel, Bolt has strengthened its regulatory position in South Africa, recently securing its operating licence from the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR), a key milestone as the sector becomes more formalised.
After ten years in the market, Bolt has established itself as a leader in South Africa’s ride-hailing sector, competing on affordability, availability, and local relevance.
The R3 billion investment, alongside new funding commitments and safety upgrades, signals continued confidence in South Africa as a strategic growth market, with Bolt set to deepen its focus on safety, innovation, and driver support in the years ahead.
For these and more stories, follow us on X (Formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn and Telegram. You can also send us tips or reach out at info@techarena.co.ke.