Ride-hailing company Bolt has announced a 42 percent decline in offline trip-related incidents across Nigeria over the last three months, attributing the drop to increased adoption of its in-app safety features.
The announcement was made during Bolt’s first-ever Public Safety Summit held in Lagos, where company executives also unveiled new security features aimed at improving trust and safety for riders and drivers across the country.
Trusted Contacts, Pickup Code Usage on the Rise
Bolt reported a 298% increase in use of its Trusted Contacts feature, with user numbers rising from 7,839 in January to over 31,200 by June. The Pick-Up Code feature, designed to verify a rider’s identity before trip commencement, also gained significant traction, with 5,568 Nigerian users enabling it in the last few months.
“These tools have contributed directly to the reduction in offline incidents,” said Osi Oguah, General Manager for Bolt Nigeria. “Safety is not just a feature for us—it’s foundational to the service we offer. This summit is about listening to our users and continuing to innovate around their needs.”
New Features Reinforce Trip Security
In addition to existing protections, Bolt introduced several key safety enhancements, including:
- Audio Trip Recording: Both riders and drivers can now record audio during trips. These recordings are encrypted and deleted after 24 hours unless a safety incident requires submission to Bolt’s support team.
- Real-Time Trip Monitoring: Enables the Bolt team and users’ trusted contacts to track rides live.
- Emergency Assist Button: Allows for immediate support in urgent situations.
- Optional Trip Acceptance: Gives drivers flexibility to accept only rides they’re comfortable with.
Company Urges Riders to Stay Within the App
Speaking at the summit, Sandra Buyole, Bolt’s Regional PR Manager for Africa, stressed the importance of using the app’s built-in safety features.
“Safety is central to everything we do,” she said. “If riders operate outside the app, they are exposed to greater risks. The protections we’ve built only apply when the system is fully used.”
Buyole also noted Bolt’s global growth, from its 2013 origins in Tallinn, Estonia, to operations in over 50 countries, including six African markets.
Summit Marks Shift Toward User-Driven Innovation
The Lagos event convened public safety officials, regulators, and everyday users to brainstorm long-term strategies for a safer ride-hailing ecosystem in Nigeria.
Bolt says the Public Safety Summit reflects its broader commitment to transparency, community collaboration, and continuous education around ride-hailing safety.
“Our job doesn’t end with launching features—we must evolve with our users,” Oguah added. “This is just the beginning.”