Skip to main content

Bolt Receives A €20 Million Investment From IFC To Increase Access To Mobility Services In Emerging Markets


Bolt is partnering with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, to promote access to on-demand mobility services in emerging economies. IFC’s €20 million investment and advisory services will help Bolt expand mobility solutions that create earning opportunities, stimulate small-scale entrepreneurship, and improve access to transportation in Eastern European and African markets.

Bolt launched South Africa – its first African market – in 2016. The company currently operates in seven African countries, providing earning opportunities for more than 400,000 drivers in 70 cities across the continent. IFC’s funding will be targeted towards Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, and African markets, such as Nigeria and South Africa.

Bolt is currently piloting a ‘Women Only’ ride-hailing category in South Africa – a new service aiming to address safety needs and improve women’s mobility by connecting female drivers with female passengers. IFC will support Bolt’s ongoing work to empower women riders and drivers by improving their access to safe and affordable transportation and creating new economic opportunities.

Markus Villig, CEO and Founder, Bolt said: “We are looking forward to partnering with IFC to further support entrepreneurship, empower women and increase access to affordable mobility services in Africa and Eastern Europe. Together with the investment from the European Investment Bank last year, we are proud to have sizeable and strategically important institutions backing us and recognising the strategic value Bolt is providing to emerging economies”.



Stephanie von Friedeburg, IFC Senior Vice President of Operations, said: “Technology can and should unlock new pathways for sustainable development and women’s empowerment. Our investment in Bolt aims to help tap into technology to disrupt the transport sector in a way that is good for the environment, creates more flexible work opportunities for women, and provides safer and more affordable transportation access in emerging markets”.

About IFC

IFC – a member of the World Bank Group – is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. IFC works in more than 100 countries, using its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries.

In fiscal year 2020, IFC invested $22 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

About Bolt

Bolt is the leading European mobility platform that’s focused on making urban travel more affordable, convenient and responsible.

Bolt has more than 50 million users in over 40 countries across Europe and Africa. Its services range from ride-hailing to micromobility with e-scooters and electric bikes to food and parcel delivery.

All Bolt rides in Europe are 100% carbon-neutral as part of Bolt’s Green Plan, a long-term commitment to reduce the ecological footprint of the company.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Photos: Ahuofe Patricia’s She Power Africa Foundation Empowers Girls Of Gomoa Dampase Against Sexual Abuse

On July 25, 2018, Ghanaian actress, Founder and Executive Director of She Power Africa, Priscilla Opoku Agyeman popularly known in showbiz as Ahuofe Patricia together with her team embarked on her mission to empower young female students of the Gomoa Dampase D/A Model Basic School against sexual abuse in the central region of Ghana. She Power is a non-governmental organisation creating awareness and empowering young girls against sexual abuse in Africa with the vision to promote gender equality and end sexual violence against women and children in collaboration with Lokhanda. She Power in accordance with the aspirations of the Ministry of Education is an effective girl-child protection programme with an educational curriculum designed to create and ensure a culture of safety and security for all educational institutions teaching practical, fun and appropriate simple effective means of awareness, prevention, escape and survival skills and also to provide long-term support for female ...

Chivas Regal Scores Big With Multi-Year Global Arsenal Partnership

Luxury Scotch whisky Chivas Regal and iconic global football club, Arsenal, have just announced a new multi-year partnership, emphasising their commitment to championing community, progressing culture, and celebrating collective success. Chivas Regal will become the club’s first Official Whisky Partner ahead of the 2024/25 season, supporting Arsenal’s men’s and women’s teams. The partnership will celebrate both brands’ shared ambition for success and commitment to their communities around the world. It will take supporters behind the scenes through exclusive content and global live experiences featuring men’s and women’s first team players, celebrity supporters, creators, and club legends. Chivas is also set to elevate the matchday experience for supporters at Emirates Stadium by launching a new Chivas Regal bar within Dial Square. The bar will tap into football culture with a curated selection of classic, and exclusive to the Emirates, Chivas Highball serves.

No 'Shower Hour' On Big Brother Naija - Says MultiChoice

As preparations are in top gear for the second edition of social reality TV show, Big Brother Nigeria, organisers have revealed that there will be no broadcast of nude footage called ‘Shower Hour’, when the show returns on January 22, 2017. This comes to some fans as ‘decent’, following the controversies generated by that segment of the show, during the now rested continental edition, Big Brother Africa (BBA). MultiChoice is bringing back the Nigerian version of the series after 10 years. It had announced after the last edition of BBA that each African country will stage the show henceforth. Renamed Big Brother Naija, the show will have 12 housemates who will compete for the prize of N25 million and a brand new KIA Sorento car. Sponsored by PayPorte, the program will run for 78 days, starting 22 January 2017 with a two-hour, live, televised launch and end on 9 April 2017 with a two-hour, live, televised finale.