Bolt, the renowned ride-hailing service, has broadened its reach into Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aiming to enrich private transportation choices within the city.
In its latest move, Bolt intends to enlist over 200 drivers and is now facilitating requests for airport transportation to and from the international terminal, the local dailies reported.
“Furthermore, the company has introduced a six-month exemption on drivers’ commissions, mirroring a successful strategy applied in its recent expansions.”
This expansion into the DRC comes on the heels of Bolt’s recent venture into Egypt, part of its overarching strategy to expand across Africa.
Currently operating in over 45 countries, Bolt has recently launched services in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in the first quarter of 2024.
In Namibia alone, Bolt has welcomed over 200 drivers since its February 2024 debut.
To bolster support for drivers in these new locations, Bolt noted it is foregoing the standard commission fee for six months, aiming to stimulate demand and enhance drivers’ earning potential.
‘Bolt’s dedication to African markets is underlined by a substantial $542.8 million investment, aimed at solidifying its presence and generating employment opportunities for over 300,000 new drivers,” the firm noted.
With its entry into Kinshasa, Bolt is poised to revolutionize the transportation landscape in the DRC, offering enhanced mobility solutions while fostering prosperity for both drivers and passengers.
This expansion is well-aligned with the projected growth of the ride-hailing sector in Africa, expected to yield $1.99 billion in revenue by 2024 and $2.98 billion by 2028, with an anticipated rise in ride-hailing users from 13.5% in 2024 to 14.3% by 2028.
Furthermore, the company witnessed a notable 70% year-on-year surge in new companies establishing Bolt Business accounts in 2023.
