Bolt has launched Bolt Send, a parcel delivery service, in Nairobi with plans to expand into other cities in the coming months to give bolster its driver revenues as offer fully trackable solution for individuals and businesses.
Bolt Send will allow customers to request a delivery through the existing Bolt app, just as they would book a ride, with parcels and any other deliveries picked up and dropped off by vetted driver-partners.
According to Dimmy Kanyankole, General Manager, Rides, Bolt said: “Kenya’s e-commerce and logistics sectors are expanding at an incredible pace, and our parcel delivery service is designed to meet that demand. We’re making last-mile delivery as seamless as booking a ride, significantly enhancing speed and efficiency for our valued customers, while simultaneously unlocking new earning opportunities for our dedicated driver-partners. As we diversify beyond rides, we see logistics as a natural extension of our platform. This launch underlines our vision to be a trusted partner in everyday life, whether it’s moving people, parcels, or powering businesses.”
Like the now defunct Sendy, Bolt Send offers real-time tracking and secure handling of parcels with its highly practical and trustworthy solution for the rapidly expanding e-commerce sector.
Bolt Send will tap into Bolt’s established driver network, the service is expected to strengthen last-mile logistics, unlock fresh revenue streams for drivers, and help scale Kenya’s booming digital economy.
Just last week, Bolt’s competitor Uber launched Uber Safari to add to its portfolio of services bring tech into Kenya’s Safari bookings. Uber Safari is expected to allow local tour operators and fleet partners to add their services to the Uber app and earn from the platform. Similarly, Bolt Send will allow parcel delivery firms to list on the app and give users on-demand access to parcel delivery services around them.
The Kenyan parcel delivery industry is competitive but fragmented with Posta Kenya, DHL, FedEx, G4S, and dozens of smaller local couriers serving different segments.
Posta Kenya has been riddled with inefficiencies and being a government parastatal, no much innovation has gained inroads. Customers complain of delayed deliveries, lack of real-time tracking, and limited last-mile reach.
With the growth of e-commerce in Kenya and urbanisation, Bolt Send might strike a cord as it has already built itself a name in Kenya’s ride-hailing and food delivery market. it already has a network of Bolt drivers and boda boda riders who will double up as parcel couriers.
Bolt also already has an established customer base with millions of Kenyans already using the Bolt app for rides and food. Adding “Parcel Delivery” as a feature lowers the cost of customer acquisition.