• Bolt drivers and their families with great ideas to solve mobility problems with tech are invited to apply for the Bolt Accelerator Program.
• The program will award 10 entrepreneurs with €2 000 in funding each.
• Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya have hosted the same program with 360 drivers moving through the Bolt Academy.

Local Bolt drivers who have a big idea for a business or product can now apply to become part of the Bolt Accelerator Program (BAP).

Following its success in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, BAP is now coming to South Africa with a €20 000 seed fund earmarked for entrepreneurs. Drivers and their immediate families are invited to submit ideas that address real-life tech mobility challenges. Bolt will select 120 entries to participate in its Bolt Academy.

From there, 10 businesses will receive €2 000 in funding and access to Bolt’s Business Mentorship Bootcamp.

To date, BAP has helped fund 30 Bolt driver partners and welcomed 360 drivers to the Bolt Academy.

“We see ride-hailing as more than just a source of income; it’s a launchpad for entrepreneurial dreams. We’re excited to support the drivers’ innovative projects, helping them build sustainable businesses, contribute to their communities, and potentially even become partners in Bolt’s ongoing success story. Building on the positive momentum from our launches in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, we’re thrilled to extend this opportunity to South African drivers and their family members,” says Bolt senior operations manager for South Africa, Simo Kalajdzic.

The program will be run in partnership with Pranary, a practical tech and business education company located in Zambia, the US, and South Africa. Pranary will assist BAP participants by helping them hone their business ideas.

“We’re excited to partner with Bolt on this transformative initiative. At Pranary, we believe in practical, hands-on learning that produces real results. Through our AI-enhanced platform and network of experienced mentors, we’ll provide participating drivers with the tools, skills and guidance needed to turn their innovative ideas into viable businesses. This program perfectly aligns with our mission to empower entrepreneurs through actionable learning and immediate implementation,” founder and CEO of Pranary, Sandras Phiri said in a statement.

As mentioned, the BAP is only available to drivers and their immediate family (spouse or child). Entrants must be South Africans and be able to dedicate off-peak hours for ten weeks to an “intensive hybrid training and mentoring session”.

Applications can be submitted here and all applications must be submitted by 30th December. Before that closing date there will be two information sessions conducted virtually. These are earmarked for the 5th and 12th of December. Details on that can be found on the application page.