Bolt, the leading ride-hailing platform in Europe and Africa, has expanded its operations to three major urban centers in Kenya, setting the stage for a continued push to expand its market footprint within the country.
This comes as competition heats up for taxi hailing apps in Kenya, where both local and international companies are pushing to secure a substantial market.
Bolt’s launch in Kisumu, Kakamega and Thika will see the number of Kenyan towns and cities served by the platform rise from the current two, to five, making it the largest ride-hailing service provider in terms of geographical reach.
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According to Bolt Country Manager (Kenya) Ola Akinnusi, Bolt’s mission is to make urban transportation more convenient and affordable for more people, thus broadening the company’s reach, providing a platform for job creation through its social contribution.
“After Nairobi and Mombasa cities, it was natural that Bolt would gradually expand across the country. We now intend to build new communities in Kisumu, Kakamega and Thika as we continue to gain the trust of the Kenyan people,” said Mr Akinnusi.
“Launching in these areas will allow us to provide a safe and affordable avenue for passengers to get a ride,” he added.
With the local expansions taking place, Bolt has also done so globally, recently launching in London hence widening the scope of the business that now extends to private cars, e-scooters and motorcycles as well as food delivery in some parts of the world.
Bolt provides 85 per cent net income in Kenya to its drivers, charging a commission of 15 per cent which is almost half of the fees charged by other platforms currently available in the market.
Also, the company has helped streamline safety regulations in the industry, providing safety features such as “Share your ETA”.
This allows a consumer to share their trip details with their loved ones, adding an extra dimension that is not available in traditional taxis.
“We are always looking out for partnerships and opportunities that will enable drivers to reduce the cost of doing business and have better earnings. We have always believed that happy drivers translate into better customer service for the riders,” Akinnusi said.
The company has also laid out a rapid expansion plan in East Africa with a five-year strategy focused on local transportation options such as ‘boda bodas’ and ‘tuk tuks’.
Bolt, formerly known as Taxify, is a leading European transportation platform that’s focused on making urban travel easier, quicker and more reliable.
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Founded by Markus Villig, Bolt launched in 2013. It is one of the fastest-growing transportation platforms in Europe and Africa with investors including Daimler, Didi Chuxing, Korelya Capital and TransferWise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus.Bolt has more than 25 million users in over 30 countries globally.
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