Dar es Salaam, 27 August 2026 — Leading digital mobility platform Bolt Tanzania has launched a new initiative aimed at promoting greater regulatory compliance among ride-hailing drivers, funding more than 600 LATRA licences so far in August and targeting more than 5,000 drivers by the end of 2026.
According to Bolt, the initiative is designed to accelerate safety, professionalism and compliance across Tanzania’s growing ride-hailing industry while helping drivers overcome financial barriers associated with obtaining the required licences.
The cost of a LATRA licence ranges between TSh30,000 and TSh60,000, excluding training fees, depending on the vehicle category. The licence enables drivers to lawfully provide passenger transport services and access designated public areas for passenger pick-ups and drop-offs.
With a target of more than 5,000 drivers, Bolt’s investment could exceed TSh300 million, highlighting the potential of public-private collaboration in promoting regulatory compliance, road safety and consumer confidence in Tanzania’s mobility sector.
SUPPORTING A SAFER AND MORE PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY
The initiative comes at a time when regulatory compliance remains an important component of efforts to strengthen road safety and build consumer confidence in Tanzania’s transport sector.
According to the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA), a total of 91,178 licences for private hire vehicles were issued during the 2024/25 financial year, reflecting continued efforts to formalise and regulate the sector.
Speaking about the initiative, Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior General Manager, Bolt East Africa, said compliance should be viewed as a shared investment in safer mobility rather than simply a regulatory obligation.
“A licensed driver represents more than regulatory compliance—it demonstrates that the individual has met the standards required to provide safe and professional transport services. And we need more of these to meet growing demand for movement, a primary driver of Tanzania’s economy.”
Kanyankole added that supporting drivers to obtain the required licences represents an investment in both the drivers and the wider digital mobility ecosystem.
“By funding these licences, we are investing in drivers, strengthening public confidence and supporting the long-term sustainability of Tanzania's digital mobility sector. Our goal will not end at financing 5,000 LATRA licences. There are more drivers out there that cannot afford licensing and the industry can be 100% compliant if we collaborate to do more.”
REMOVING FINANCIAL BARRIERS FOR DRIVERS
Bolt said the programme is intended to remove financial barriers that may prevent some drivers from completing the licensing process.
By supporting drivers to meet the necessary regulatory requirements, the company said the initiative will enable more drivers to qualify to operate on its platform and access income-generating opportunities available to drivers partnering with Bolt.
The company believes that increasing the number of licensed drivers will contribute to a more professional ride-hailing ecosystem while giving passengers greater confidence when using digital mobility services.
The initiative also reinforces the importance of collaboration between regulators, mobility platforms and drivers in achieving higher levels of compliance across Tanzania’s rapidly expanding digital transport sector.
BOLT’S GLOBAL REACH
Bolt is a leading mobility platform operating in more than 50 countries and 850 cities, providing shared mobility services including ride-hailing, scooter and e-bike rental, and car rental to more than 200 million customers worldwide.
More than 4.5 million drivers use the Bolt platform globally.
The company seeks to accelerate the transition from private car ownership to shared mobility by providing alternatives for different transportation needs.
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