Nigerian ride-hailing leader Bolt has announced a 92 per cent week-on-week increase in driver registrations, a jump the company attributes to Uber's exit from the Nigerian market as drivers look for alternative platforms to keep earning. The surge offers one of the first concrete measures of how driver supply is shifting across the country's e-hailing market since the departure of a major operator.

The figures, disclosed in a statement seen by Technext, underscore growing interest in Bolt among drivers seeking a reliable and established platform. The company, which has operated in Nigeria since 2016, said it has built a broad network of driver partners and riders across the country — a foundation it credits for the surge in sign-ups.

Teddy Appa-Dankyi, Senior General Manager for Bolt West Africa, described the increase as encouraging, saying it demonstrates strong confidence in the app.

“We are encouraged by the strong increase in interest from drivers looking to join Bolt. It demonstrates the confidence drivers have in our platform and the opportunities we provide,” he said.

Bolt says safety standards remain unchanged despite influx

On September 2, Uber announced it was shutting down its Nigerian operations and redirecting its focus elsewhere on the continent. The departure raised concerns about the state of the country's e-hailing market, prompting Bolt and inDrive to restate their commitment to Nigeria. Uber's exit has also triggered significant readjustments across the sector, with drivers and riders alike seeking continuity and reliable alternatives. In a sector where drivers' livelihoods are tied to platform access, continuity of service has become the immediate priority on both sides of the market.

According to Bolt, its established presence gives drivers an opportunity to transition to a platform with an existing rider base and established demand. Riders, meanwhile, will continue to have access to mobility services supported by the company's safety measures and operational infrastructure.

The company also moved to reassure users that, despite the significant influx of new drivers, it has not loosened its onboarding, safety, or conduct standards to accommodate the increased interest.

“Growth cannot come at the expense of safety. Every driver who joins Bolt must meet our onboarding and safety requirements, and those standards remain unchanged. We have also maintained our position on drivers who were previously blocked or suspended for serious violations or unacceptable behaviour. We will not compromise those standards simply because there is an influx of drivers looking for opportunities,” Appa-Dankyi said.

Bolt reiterated its commitment to the Nigerian market, stressing that it will continue investing in its platform and driver community as the country's mobility landscape evolves.

“The market may be changing, but our commitment to safety and quality remains constant,” Appa-Dankyi added.

With Uber now out of the market, attention turns to how Bolt and inDrive absorb the incoming wave of drivers while holding the line on onboarding standards — and whether the recent surge in registrations translates into active supply on the road. For Nigeria's e-hailing sector, the coming weeks will indicate how supply and demand settle around the remaining platforms.

Source: TechNext24