Ride-hailing company Bolt says it has invested more than N140bn in Nigeria since commencing operations in the country in 2016, reaching over 14 million riders and creating 470,000 income opportunities.
The company made the disclosure while celebrating its 10th anniversary in Nigeria, highlighting the growth of its operations and expanding footprint in the country’s ride-hailing market.
Bolt said in an email that it currently operates in 31 cities across Nigeria, giving it the widest geographical coverage among ride-hailing platforms in the country.
The expansion beyond major urban centres reflects the company’s efforts to extend its services to more locations, as demand for alternative transportation options grows across the country.
The company said its investment covered the development and support of its operations, while its growing rider base demonstrated the scale of its engagement with Nigerian consumers.
The creation of 470,000 income opportunities further underscores the contribution of ride-hailing platforms to alternative livelihoods, particularly for driver-partners engaged in the gig economy.
Commenting on the milestone, the Regional Director of Rides Operations for Africa at Bolt, Caroline Wanjihia, said the company’s growth reflected its efforts to improve access to urban mobility and create earning opportunities.
“Reaching 10 years in Nigeria is an important milestone for Bolt. Since we launched in 2016, our focus has been on making urban mobility more accessible while creating opportunities for people to earn through our platform.
“The investment we have made, the millions of riders we have reached and the income opportunities created reflect the progress we have made together with our driver-partners, riders and other stakeholders,” she said.
Wanjihia added that the company would continue to improve its services, strengthen partnerships and respond to changing transportation needs across the country.
She said Bolt’s operations now cover 31 cities, reflecting its commitment to reaching more communities and expanding access to its mobility services.
The anniversary comes as ride-hailing platforms remain part of Nigeria’s evolving urban transportation market, providing alternatives to conventional public transport while creating opportunities for drivers to earn through digital platforms.
Bolt said it would continue to focus on improving the mobility experience, supporting driver-partners and exploring opportunities to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s transportation ecosystem.