Bolt, the ride-hailing company, has officially introduced its services in Harare, Zimbabwe, marking its twelfth country launch. In a unique approach, Bolt will not take any commission from drivers for the first six months, aligning with a similar no-commission strategy previously implemented in Zambia. This move comes after successful pilot programs in Zambia in October 2023.
Unlike in some other regions, where Bolt enforces an 18% commission, Zimbabwean drivers will benefit from the commission-free period, and the company will no longer collect booking fees. The initial phase in Zimbabwe involves a pilot test, with 300 driver partners set to join the platform.
This expansion positions Zimbabwe as the third southern African location where Bolt aims to provide ride-hailing services, catering to both businesses and individuals. Bolt initially launched in South Africa in 2016 and continues its strategic growth across the African continent.
Laurent Koerge, Bolt’s Head of Expansion, said they were thrilled to be testing services in Zimbabwe. Their ambition is not just to provide drivers with higher earnings per ride, but also to foster high demand through competitive pricing. He noted that Bolt’s commission rates are notably lower than their competitors’.
In 2023, Bolt unveiled plans to dedicate over €500 million in investment in Africa, with one of the initiatives creating job opportunities for more than 300,000 driver partners. Bolt currently provides services in 45 countries worldwide to over 150 million customers, involving over 3 million drivers.
Safety has been a fundamental aspect of Bolt’s operation. The platform took action to suspend 10,000 drivers in Nigeria and Kenya in the latter half of 2023 to address safety concerns. The company has also introduced safety measures such as an SOS button, verification for riders and drivers, and a feature to report a driver who chooses to go offline during a trip.
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