Bolt Launches Pilot Ride-Hailing Service in Namibia

By Samuel Ouma

Bolt, a prominent mobility platform that provides services throughout Europe and Africa, has begun a pilot run of its ride-hailing service in Namibia, expanding its presence in Southern Africa.

The company’s entry into Namibia, building on its success in Europe and other African markets, is a significant milestone in its Southern African expansion strategy.

The Namibia launch involves onboarding over 200 drivers, and Bolt will not charge any commissions for the first six months.

Bolt's expansion into Namibia demonstrates its commitment to transforming mobility in the region.

It aims to provide Namibians with convenient, dependable, and cost-effective transportation options by offering ride-hailing services tailored to the needs of both individuals and businesses.

"Our mission extends beyond merely boosting driver revenues; we aim to ignite demand through competitive pricing. By keeping our commissions substantially lower than our counterparts, we ensure drivers earn more while presenting customers with appealing service fees,” said Laurent Koerge, Head of Expansion at Bolt.

Our unwavering dedication to profitability and fairness underscores our belief that happy drivers are the cornerstone of happy customers."

The mobility app announced the introduction of various safety measures and in-app features designed to protect riders and drivers.

The safety measures include an SOS button, allowing riders and drivers to contact the police by simply pushing a button. 

Other features include "Share My Ride," which allows riders and drivers to share a link with real-time journey information. The app also includes in-app calls and messaging, allowing users to communicate without disclosing phone numbers unless necessary.

There is also a "Driver Unmatching" option, meaning that if a rider or driver rates a trip with one star, they will be automatically disconnected.

Also, Bolt is easy to use, allowing customers to download the secure and free Bolt app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and create a user profile.