Bolt enhances rider safety with dashboard camera
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Ride-hailing platform Bolt is introducing a new safety feature for its drivers in Nigeria, turning smartphones into dash cams (dashboard cameras) through a partnership with US-based Driver Technologies.
The app, which records both the inside and outside of vehicles, has long been requested by drivers seeking protection in disputes and insurance claims. Bolt said the collaboration will give driver partners one free month of the premium Driver app, after which they can subscribe at a discounted N4,810 ($3.50) per month. Recordings are stored in the cloud and can be accessed or shared when needed.
“Driver partners regularly tell us that a dash cam can provide them with additional security and peace of mind,” Bolt Nigeria’s General Manager, Osi Oguah, said in an email to The PUNCH. “But buying a device that meets their requirements can be expensive, with drivers citing the cost as the main obstacle.”
The rollout highlights how African ride-hailing markets are adapting global safety tools to local contexts, where high hardware costs often make add-ons like dash cams inaccessible.
The app, which can run in the background while using the Bolt platform, offers picture-in-picture functionality to confirm recording is active without interfering with ride-hailing operations. The system enables drivers to store, access, and share footage through the Driver Cloud, supporting them in disputes with customers, insurance claims, or investigations by law enforcement.
Bolt said the new feature complements its existing in-app safety tools such as pick-up codes and Trusted Contacts. It also follows recent investments in Nigeria and other African markets to bolster rider and driver safety.
For Driver Technologies, the collaboration marks an expansion of its footprint in emerging markets. The company will provide IT support and data management services for Nigerian drivers under the partnership.
Founded in 2013, Bolt operates in more than 600 cities across 50 countries, with over 4.5 million drivers on its platform globally. The company said the Nigeria initiative underscores its push to strengthen driver welfare and security across its African operations, one of its fastest-growing markets.
