Bolt has recorded a 92 per cent week-on-week increase in driver registrations in Nigeria following Uber’s exit from the country, as drivers seek alternative ride-hailing platforms.
The Estonian mobility company, which has operated in Nigeria since 2016, disclosed the increase in an email to PUNCH Online on Wednesday.
Uber ended its Nigerian operations on September 2 after about 12 years in the country, leaving drivers and riders to explore alternative platforms amid rising fuel, vehicle maintenance and other operating costs.
Bolt, however, did not disclose the actual number of driver registrations before and after Uber’s departure, making it unclear how many additional drivers the 92 per cent increase represents.
“Bolt has recorded a 92 per cent week-on-week increase in driver registrations following Uber’s exit from the Nigerian market,” Bolt West Africa Senior General Manager, Teddy Appa-Dankyi, said.
He said the company would retain its existing onboarding and safety requirements despite the increased interest from prospective drivers.
“We are encouraged by the strong increase in interest from drivers looking to join Bolt. It shows drivers’ confidence in our platform and the opportunities we provide. However, growth cannot come at the expense of safety,” Appa-Dankyi said.
Bolt said all prospective drivers would continue to undergo its established onboarding and safety checks.
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The company added that drivers previously suspended or blocked for serious safety violations, misconduct or other breaches would not be automatically reinstated.
“Every driver who joins Bolt must meet our onboarding and safety requirements, and those standards remain unchanged,” Appa-Dankyi said.
The increase comes as Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry adjusts to Uber’s departure, with competing platforms seeking to attract drivers and riders in a market under pressure from high operating costs.
For Bolt, the development could expand its driver network as more drivers look for alternatives following Uber’s withdrawal from Nigeria.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
