Bolt brings regulators, riders, drivers together to rethink ride-hailing safety

Bolt is shifting part of its safety strategy beyond technology by bringing together passengers, drivers and regulators to discuss how trust and safety can be strengthened across the industry.

The company hosted its Passenger Safety Summit in Abuja, creating a platform where riders, drivers, government officials and other stakeholders openly discussed safety challenges, shared experiences and proposed practical solutions for safer journeys.

The Abuja event followed Bolt’s first Passenger Safety Summit held in Lagos last year and reflects the company’s broader effort to encourage continuous dialogue among everyone involved in the ride-hailing ecosystem.

Read also: Bolt turns everyday rides into N5m lifeline for vulnerable children

Unlike a traditional conference, the summit was designed as an interactive meeting where participants exchanged ideas, examined real-life safety situations and discussed ways to improve safety standards across Nigeria’s growing mobility sector.

The discussions come at a time when ride-hailing platforms are becoming increasingly important in urban transportation, while concerns about passenger security, driver welfare and public confidence continue to attract attention from regulators and users.

Representing the director of the Federal Capital Territory Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Durojaye Babatunde praised Bolt for creating a platform that encourages collaboration among key stakeholders.

He said the initiative would help strengthen passenger safety, increase public awareness and improve trust in ride-hailing services.

According to him, safety cannot be achieved by platform operators alone. “Safety remains a shared responsibility among platform operators, drivers, passengers and regulators,” he said.

He added that forums like the Passenger Safety Summit provide valuable opportunities for stakeholders to exchange experiences, improve understanding of safety features and build stronger partnerships that support modern urban mobility.

Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Bolt’s head of regulatory and policy for Africa, said meaningful improvements in safety require continuous engagement rather than isolated interventions.

She said bringing riders, drivers and regulators together allows honest conversations that can strengthen trust and improve the overall experience for everyone using ride-hailing services.

“Safety is a shared responsibility, and meaningful progress happens when all stakeholders have a seat at the table. By bringing together riders, drivers and regulators, we’re creating opportunities for honest conversations that help strengthen trust and improve the overall ride-hailing experience,” Aghadiuno said.

One of the major highlights of the summit was an interactive session built around real-life trip scenarios. Participants discussed common safety concerns encountered during rides and explored practical ways passengers, drivers and platform operators could respond more effectively.

The event also featured collaborative problem-solving sessions and an open question-and-answer forum where attendees engaged directly with Bolt representatives and regulators, raising concerns and suggesting areas where safety standards could be strengthened.

Industry observers say such engagements are becoming increasingly important as Nigeria’s digital transport sector matures. While technology has introduced safety tools such as trip monitoring, emergency assistance, ride verification and identity checks, experts believe lasting confidence will depend on cooperation among companies, regulators and users.

Read also: Bolt rewards top drivers nationwide, deepens support beyond earnings

For Bolt, the Abuja summit represents another step in positioning safety as an ongoing conversation rather than a one-time initiative.

The company said it remains committed to investing in safety awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement and partnerships that encourage collective action across the mobility value chain.

As competition within Nigeria’s ride-hailing market continues to grow, companies are increasingly recognising that passenger confidence and trust could become as important as pricing and convenience in determining long-term success.

Bolt said improving safety requires continuous dialogue, shared responsibility and sustained collaboration among everyone involved in delivering urban mobility services.