Bolt is enhancing safety for South African riders by introducing a new ID and selfie verification process, aimed at building trust between passengers and drivers.
Popular ride-hailing company Bolt has announced that it is expanding rider identity verification across South Africa, requiring users to confirm their identity using a South African ID number and a selfie.
The company said the aim is to improve accountability and strengthen trust between passengers and drivers, as concerns around safety and verification continue to shape how South Africans use ride-hailing services.
It added that the new system will form part of a wider safety approach that includes in-app safety features, real-time trip monitoring, and cooperation with authorities, and will be rolled out gradually across the country.
“The Ipsos research confirmed what we hear from riders every day: safety and trust are central to how South Africans choose to move around their cities. Expanding rider verification is an important step in strengthening accountability on the platform, because accountability is enhanced when users are verified and identifiable,” said Sbu Ngwane, Senior General Manager at Bolt South Africa.
