Bolt officially launched the inaugural Bolt Accelerator Program (BAP) Awards in South Africa at the Garden Venue Hotel in Johannesburg.
Building on its success in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, the program aims to empower Bolt drivers and their families with seed funding, mentorship, and business training.
The BAP focuses on encouraging entrepreneurship in mobility by supporting innovative ideas around sustainability, inclusive transportation, and people-centric cities. Lerato Motsoeneng, Bolt's Senior General Manager for South Africa, said the program is 'a partnership' that supports the growth of driver-partners and their communities.
Out of nearly 500 applications, 100 participants were selected for a 10-week hybrid program run by Pranary, a business school known for its practical training. Participants engaged in expert-led sessions and AI-supported learning. At the end, finalists pitched their ideas during Business Pitch Day.
Ten standout participants were awarded '2,000 (approximately R40,000) each in seed funding and ongoing mentorship. The winners were:
Pranary CEO Sandras Phiri praised Bolt for supporting drivers beyond their day-to- day jobs. Partners such as the Gauteng Department of Economic Development and the Department of Transport also supported the initiative.
Applicants needed to be active Bolt drivers or their immediate family members, residing in South Africa, and able to commit to the training period. The BAP Awards mark a transformative step in helping drivers become entrepreneurs, shaping the future of South African mobility.
