Ride-hailing platform Bolt has expanded its rider identity verification system across South Africa in 2026, introducing a nationwide rollout designed to strengthen passenger safety, improve platform accountability, and support compliance with the country’s National Land Transport Act. The move is part of a broader safety upgrade targeting trust and security across the e-hailing sector, particularly for daily commuters, students, and night-time travellers.
The verification system requires users to input a valid national identification number and complete a facial selfie check within the app. In most cases, identity confirmation is processed automatically through a secure verification partner linked to national population records, while failed checks trigger a secondary manual document review. The rollout, currently voluntary in some regions, is being phased into mandatory adoption nationwide to ensure full platform compliance and improved user authentication.
According to Brandspur Marketing & Media, the expansion reflects growing regulatory pressure and rising commuter expectations for safer digital mobility services across African cities, where ride-hailing demand continues to increase rapidly.
User safety data highlighted by the company shows that 90 per cent of commuters prefer ride-hailing due to perceived safety advantages, while 92 per cent feel more secure when using such services at night. A further 96 per cent of respondents say in-app safety tools significantly improve their confidence when travelling, with women accounting for about 70 per cent of the platform’s user base in South Africa.
To further enhance protection, the platform continues to promote in-app features such as real-time GPS tracking, trip-sharing functions, driver verification checks, ride monitoring alerts, and emergency assistance tools. These systems are designed to provide layered safety support before, during, and after each trip, particularly for vulnerable or late-night users.
The company also operates a female-focused service option that allows women riders to request trips with female drivers, aimed at improving comfort and reducing safety concerns. In addition, Bolt has committed to a global investment of €100 million between 2024 and 2027 to strengthen safety infrastructure, expand education campaigns, and improve coordination with regulators and enforcement agencies.
