Bolt sees 92% spike in Nigerian driver registrations after Uber exit

Ride-hailing company Bolt has seen a staggering 92 percent surge in driver registrations in Nigeria after Uber pulled out of the market, according to an email from the Estonian startup to PUNCH Online. This sharp increase in drivers joining Bolt follows Uber's exit from the country after 12 years of operation, leaving many drivers and riders to seek alternative platforms amid rising costs and heightened competition.

The exact number of registrations before and after Uber's departure remains undisclosed, leaving the absolute scale of the jump ambiguous. Teddy Appa-Dankyi, Senior General Manager of Bolt West Africa, confirmed the significant rise in driver registrations following Uber's exit. Despite the surge in interest from prospective drivers, Bolt remains committed to its existing onboarding and safety requirements to ensure the continued safety of its drivers and riders.

The company stated that drivers who have been previously suspended or blocked due to serious safety violations, misconduct, or other breaches will not be automatically reinstated. As Nigeria's ride-hailing market faces the aftermath of Uber's departure, rival platforms are competing for drivers and riders, a trend driven by the high costs of fuel, vehicle maintenance, and other operational expenses.

Bolt aims to capitalize on this opportunity to expand its driver network as demand for alternative ride-hailing platforms continues to grow in response to Uber's withdrawal. The company remains focused on investing in its platform and driver community to adapt to the evolving mobility landscape in Nigeria.