Collaboration with Bolt, Vodacom South Africa, SmartOps Fleet, Thiba Ingozi and Fidelity SecureDrive aims to support more formal, safer and technology-enabled opportunities for vehicle owners and driver-partners.
Bolt welcomes the expansion of the Vodacom South Africa and SmartOps Fleet e-hailing programme, now supported by Thiba Ingozi and Fidelity SecureDrive’s vehicle-tracking and dash-camera solutions.
The programme brings together vehicle finance, connectivity, fleet management and safety technology to help qualifying vehicle owners participate in South Africa’s growing e-hailing economy. SmartOps Fleet will manage the day-to-day operation of participating vehicles, which may be deployed on platforms including Bolt, subject to applicable platform, vehicle and driver-partner requirements.
“South Africa’s e-hailing economy has the potential to create meaningful income opportunities for driver-partners, fleet owners and entrepreneurs,” said Graham Walker, General Manager for Bolt South Africa.
“For this growth to be sustainable, it must be underpinned by strong safety measures, responsible fleet operations and clear accountability. We welcome initiatives that bring together technology, safety and operational support to help strengthen the wider mobility ecosystem.”
“Bolt’s ability to connect drivers with riders complements Vodacom South Africa’s connectivity and SmartOps Fleet’s operational expertise. Together, we can help turn vehicle investment into economic opportunity while supporting a safer, more inclusive digital mobility economy,” said Peter Malebye, Managing Executive for Fintech at Vodacom South Africa.
As the sector continues to formalise, partnerships that strengthen accountability, safety and access to economic opportunity are increasingly important. The programme’s safety offering includes vehicle tracking, dash cameras, the Thiba Ingozi e-hailing safety app and physical panic buttons, designed to support faster emergency response and greater visibility during trips.
“Partnering with Bolt gives participating drivers and investors access to an established platform and rider demand. Combined with our fleet management and Thiba Ingozi’s safety technology designed for e-hailing, this creates a stronger foundation for earning opportunities and safer trips,” said Mahene Benzane, CEO of SmartOps.
The initiative aims to introduce up to 55,000 vehicles over the next nine to 12 months, with electric vehicles intended to make up 66% of the planned fleet. If achieved, the programme could support significant new opportunities across the value chain, including for driver-partners, investors and service providers.
Bolt’s own platform requirements remain in place for all driver-partners and vehicles operating on the app. These include relevant documentation and verification requirements, vehicle standards, and access to in-app safety features such as trip tracking, live location sharing and Emergency Assist. Driver-partners are also required to operate using their own verified accounts, helping to strengthen trust and accountability for riders.
“Technology-enabled partnerships can play an important role in making mobility safer, more reliable and more inclusive,” added Walker. “By pairing investment with operational support and practical safety tools, the programme can help create a stronger foundation for those seeking to build a livelihood in the sector.”
Bolt will continue working with stakeholders across the industry to support a more formal, safe and sustainable e-hailing sector in South Africa.
Interested investors can download the SmartOps Fleet App or visit smartopsfleet.com/investor-program to begin the application process.
