Tech

Ride-hailing platform, Bolt surpasses over 100m rides in Kenya

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2023

Ride-hailing platform, Bolt reached a milestone after announcing the facilitation of over 100 million rides in Kenya since entering the market.

Bolt Kenya Country Manager, Linda Ndungu, who made the announcement on Thursday, said “over the past decade, Bolt has grown from a groundbreaking startup to a global leader in the mobility sector, both globally and locally,” with the company remaining “focused on providing an innovative technology platform that enhances safety, affordability, and sustainability.”

“We are excited to commemorate these significant global and local milestones. These accomplishments reflect the relentless dedication of our team to build a stellar product for our riders and driver-partners,’’ said Ndungu.

‘’To amplify these gains, we have expanded our array of available mobility solutions. Bolt mobility offerings have now gone beyond traditional cars to include motorbikes, tuk-tuks, e-bikes, hybrid cars, and fully electric vehicles.

‘’Quality, safety and driver engagement underpin these accomplishments. We continue to elevate these three pillars as we grow and evolve. For instance, drivers can now engage directly with the local team in the Nairobi Driver Engagement Centre,” she added.

The Kenyan feat by Bolt is coming on the heels of the company announcing that it had surpassed 150 million customers in over 45 countries and 500 cities around the world.

Early this year, Bolt also announced that it had amassed over 3.5 million partners including drivers and couriers using the app to earn a living, with over one million of them in Africa alone.

“These customers are spread across Bolt’s suite of mobility products which include ride-hailing, micromobility scooter and e-bike rental, food delivery, grocery delivery, Bolt Drive, a free-floating car-sharing service, and Bolt Business, a corporate mobility service.”

Related Topics:Bolt Featured Kenya Milestone Ride Hailing

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Tech

Kenya’s ticketing startup BuuPass partners Flexpay for flexible travel payments

Published

12 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with goal-based savings platform, Flexpay, to offer customers flexible payment plans ahead of holiday travels as well as simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.

Co-founder and CEO at Buupass, Sonia Kabra, who unveiled the package at a press conference, said the collaboration between the two platforms will allow travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over four to 12 weeks.

“Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments,” she said.

“This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.

“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance. This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially,” said Kabra.

Also speaking at the event, Richard Machomba, CEO and founder of Flexpay, said:

“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals.

“By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” Machomba added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

FlexPay, on the other hand, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa.

Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation