Bolt has concluded the last and final phase of its Bolt Accelerator Programme, an initiative in collaboration with The Nest Innovation Park, to empower its drivers to redefine their roles as entrepreneurs and amplify economic growth prospects across Nigeria.
The post-mentorship graduation ceremony was held virtually in January to send forth the top 10 winners. Launched in September, the Bolt Accelerator Programme has empowered drivers beyond conventional ride-hailing services and contributed to the economic growth of drivers in Nigeria.
The initiative witnessed a myriad of applications from drivers in diverse states in Nigeria, their brilliant ideas were meticulously scrutinized, and appraised, and ultimately the top 10 innovative business ideas emerged as winners, each receiving a seed fund of 2000 Euros but proceeding to start a six-week mentorship phase of the Bolt Den to mark a significant milestone celebrated during the virtual closing ceremony.
The initiative is in line with Bolt’s goal to contribute towards the development of Nigeria’s economic growth whilst keeping Bolt’s African City Vision project, which encourages the adoption of shared mobility in the ongoing development of wider transport ecosystems.
Recent analysis from Oliver Wyman Mobility Forum and Bolt highlighted that the African shared mobility market is the world’s fastest growing and is set to double to $8 billion by 2030, creating more than 550,000 additional earnings opportunities while bringing significant economic and social benefits.
Speaking on the importance of the mentorship exercise, Bolt’s Senior Public Policy Manager, WA, NA and CA, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, reiterated that the mentorship exercise is important to help nurture the winners and prepare them for the real-life tasks ahead.
