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

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Ride-hailing platform Bolt has recorded a 92 per cent week-on-week increase in driver registrations in Nigeria following Uber’s exit, as drivers seek alternative platforms to continue earning.

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The Estonian mobility startup, which has operated in Nigeria since 2016, disclosed the increase in an email to PUNCH Online on Wednesday.

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Uber, Bolt’s biggest rival, ended its Nigerian operations on September 2 after about 12 years in the country, prompting drivers and riders to consider other platforms amid rising operating costs and intensifying competition.

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It did not disclose the number of registrations recorded before and after Uber’s departure, leaving the absolute size of the increase unclear.

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“Bolt has recorded a 92 per cent week-on-week increase in driver registrations following Uber’s exit from the Nigerian market,” Senior General Manager, Bolt West Africa, Teddy Appa-Dankyi, declared.

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The executive said the company would maintain its existing onboarding and safety requirements despite the increased interest from prospective drivers.

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“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,” he said.

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Bolt said prospective drivers would continue to undergo its established onboarding and safety checks. Drivers previously suspended or blocked for serious safety violations, misconduct or other breaches would not be automatically reinstated, it added.

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“Every driver who joins Bolt must meet our onboarding and safety requirements, and those standards remain unchanged,” Appa-Dankyi said.

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The development comes as Nigeria’s ride-hailing market adjusts to Uber’s departure, with rival platforms competing for drivers and riders in an industry facing high fuel, vehicle maintenance, and other operating costs.

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For Bolt, the surge in registrations offers an opportunity to expand its driver network as demand for alternative ride-hailing platforms rises after Uber’s withdrawal.

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The company said it would continue investing in its platform and driver community as Nigeria’s mobility market evolves.

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