Bolt, a ride-hailing company, hosted its inaugural Driver-Led Safety Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, with the theme "Partnering for Protection to Build a Safer Community and Safer Roads for All."

The event drew over 200 driver partners and prominent government representatives, including Isaac Sileku, Western Cape minister of mobility, Dr. Nomafrench Mbombo (Western Cape Provincial Parliament Standing Committee on Mobility), Ian Cameron (National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Police Chairperson), Alderman JP Smith (City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security), and members of the Western Cape E-hailing Association, to tackle the pressing issue.

The discussions underlined the importance of coordination among regulators, platform operators, and drivers in ensuring a safer environment for both passengers and drivers.

Key subjects included the deployment of safety measures to safeguard all users, the importance of technology in safety advancements, and drivers' critical contributions in shaping safety policies.

Sileku commented: "Safety is not just a feature; it is the foundation of trust and a shared responsibility between users of e-hailing platforms. This summit exemplifies Bolt’s commitment to collaborative action, setting a standard for the broader mobility sector. The insights gained here will influence our ongoing regulatory efforts to ensure a balanced approach to driver protection, passenger accountability, and platform responsibility."

Bolt’s head of public policy Africa, Weyinmi Aghadiuno said: “At Bolt, safety is at the core of our mission. This summit is a reflection of our dedication to working hand-in-hand with drivers, government, and stakeholders to develop and implement solutions that enhance the safety and security of our community."

The summit featured interactive panel discussions and showcased Bolt’s advanced safety features, including in-app SOS buttons and audio trip recording, 24/7 support and verification feature.