Bolt & Mombasa County to Certify 400 Delivery Riders Under New Licensing Scheme

Ride-hailing giant Bolt and the County Government of Mombasa have unveiled a new initiative aimed at formally certifying 400 delivery riders through a competency-based licensing programme.

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Licensing Programme was officially launched at Tononoka Social Hall on Wednesday, with Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir presiding over the event. The programme is designed to assess and certify the practical skills of riders who have accumulated years of on-the-job experience but lack formal qualifications.

Under the arrangement, selected riders will undergo 21 days of structured training delivered by an accredited driving school. Upon successful completion, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will issue formal licences based on demonstrated competency, in line with Kenya’s traffic regulations.

“This is a deliberate policy intervention to correct a long-standing imbalance between the skills thousands of young riders already have and the formal recognition the system has never given them,” said Benjamin Sulle, Public Policy Manager at Bolt. He added that Bolt remains the only platform in Kenya holding a national courier licence, which opens doors for certified riders to participate in parcel deliveries and the wider formal courier economy.

The programme stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Bolt and the Mombasa County Government in January 2026. The multi-year partnership also includes commitments to assist local businesses in adopting digital platforms and to share transport data with the county to support infrastructure planning, including the placement of electric vehicle charging stations.

Bolt has invested KES 1.5 million to facilitate rider training, licensing, and the digital transformation of transport enterprises across the county. Arthur Gacharia, Senior Operations Manager for Rides at Bolt Kenya, described the initiative as a step toward building a modern, technology-driven transport ecosystem. “By working together to promote compliance, empower riders, and help local businesses embrace digital opportunities, we are investing in the long-term growth and resilience of the county’s economy,” he said.

Governor Nassir welcomed the collaboration, emphasising the importance of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and creating economic opportunities. “Our partnership with Bolt demonstrates the value of public-private collaboration in delivering practical solutions that improve the lives of our residents,” he stated. “By formally recognising the skills our riders already have, and giving them a clear path to a licence and a livelihood they can be proud of, this programme reflects our vision of a competitive, inclusive and future-ready Mombasa.”

Beyond rider certification, the partnership aims to foster a more organised transport sector, encourage greater digital adoption among small businesses, and strengthen Mombasa’s position as a key commercial and tourism hub in East Africa.

Bolt continues to position itself as a key player in Kenya’s mobility sector, with ongoing investments in driver support, regulatory engagement, and sustainable urban mobility solutions.