Vodacom South Africa and SmartOps Fleet plan to introduce up to 55,000 vehicles into South Africa’s e-hailing market over the next nine to 12 months, through an expanded programme that Bolt has welcomed.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are intended to make up 66% of the planned fleet.
The programme is now supported by Thiba Ingozi and Fidelity SecureDrive’s vehicle-tracking and dash-camera solutions. It brings together vehicle finance, connectivity, fleet management and safety technology to help qualifying vehicle owners take part in the country’s growing e-hailing economy.
SmartOps Fleet will manage the day-to-day operation of participating vehicles. The vehicles may be deployed on platforms including Bolt, subject to 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.”
Peter Malebye, managing executive for fintech at Vodacom South Africa, said the partners’ strengths complement each other.
“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,” Malebye said.
Safety in focus
The programme’s safety offering includes vehicle tracking, dash cameras, the Thiba Ingozi e-hailing safety app and physical panic buttons. These are designed to support faster emergency response and give 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.
Bolt said its own platform requirements remain in place for all driver-partners and vehicles on the app. These include documentation and verification checks, vehicle standards and access to in-app safety features such as trip tracking, live location sharing and Emergency Assist. Driver-partners must also operate from their own verified accounts.
The programme comes as South Africa’s e-hailing sector continues to formalise, with growing pressure on platforms and fleet operators to strengthen accountability and driver and rider safety.
“Technology-enabled partnerships can play an important role in making mobility safer, more reliable and more inclusive,” Walker said. “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.”
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(source: AfricaBusinessCommunities)