Bolt, one of Africa’s largest ride-hailing companies, has announced that its top 50 drivers in Nigeria earned an average of N9,662,105 in the first half of 2025. This translates to an average monthly income of N1,610,351, which is higher than the N1.2 million monthly average recently reported by rival platform, inDrive, for the same period.
According to Bolt, the figure is based on gross trip income, which includes bonuses and incentives. The company said the drivers who achieved this earnings level consistently maintained high ratings, accepted ride requests promptly, and completed a large number of trips.
The General Manager of Bolt Nigeria, Osi Oguah, said the figures demonstrate the potential for drivers to achieve strong financial results through the platform. “At Bolt, we are committed to creating economic opportunities for our driver partners. This report demonstrates that consistent engagement on the platform can yield substantial financial rewards. We remain focused on improving the driver experience and ensuring sustainability in the gig economy,” he said.
Oguah explained that Bolt has invested heavily in initiatives to support drivers, including incentive programmes, operational improvements, and welfare packages. These, he noted, are designed to make driving on the platform both profitable and sustainable.
The company said its support schemes include fuel assistance, advanced safety features for drivers and riders, flexible working schedules, and reward programmes that recognise top-performing drivers. These efforts, according to Bolt, are part of a broader plan to improve service quality for riders while helping drivers grow their income.
In recent years, Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector has grown significantly as more people in major cities turn to app-based transport for convenience, affordability, and safety. This has also created new income opportunities for thousands of drivers, many of whom rely on these platforms as their main source of livelihood.
Industry observers note that the competition between platforms such as Bolt, inDrive, and Uber has led to better earnings opportunities for drivers, as companies offer incentives and flexible working conditions to retain their driver base. However, challenges such as fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and traffic congestion continue to impact profitability for many drivers.
Despite these challenges, Bolt said it remains committed to offering competitive advantages to drivers. The company emphasised that its operations in Nigeria are part of a broader African growth strategy, which focuses on combining technology, safety, and affordability to meet urban mobility needs.
Bolt operates in more than 50 countries and 600 cities worldwide, offering various mobility services. These include ride-hailing, scooter and e-bike rentals, car rentals, food and grocery delivery, and corporate mobility solutions. The company serves more than 200 million customers and works with over 4.5 million drivers globally.
With the Nigerian economy facing high unemployment and inflation, the gig economy has become an important source of income for many citizens. Ride-hailing platforms like Bolt provide flexible and scalable earning opportunities, allowing drivers to choose their working hours and take advantage of high-demand periods.
Analysts believe that as urbanisation continues and public transportation infrastructure struggles to keep up with population growth, ride-hailing services will remain a critical part of Nigeria’s transport network. This growth is likely to attract further competition and innovation in the sector, potentially increasing earnings opportunities for drivers while expanding consumer choice.
For now, Bolt’s latest earnings report appears to be a strong signal to both drivers and investors that the company’s model can deliver substantial financial results, especially for those who actively engage with the platform and take advantage of available incentives.
