Monthly earnings surpass ₦1 million for Bolt and inDrive drivers, fueling increasing unhappiness among ranks
Competition Heats Up in Nigeria's Ride-Hailing Market
The race between ride-hailing platforms Bolt and inDrive in Nigeria is intensifying, with Bolt's top drivers earning significantly more than their inDrive counterparts. For the first half of 2025, Bolt's top 50 drivers averaged ₦9.6 million ($6,300), a 26% increase over inDrive's top 50 drivers who earned ₦7.6 million ($4,996) during the same period [1][3][5].
The Nigerian ride-hailing market is experiencing rapid growth, fuelled by urbanisation, increased smartphone penetration, and inadequate public transport. By 2028, the market is projected to be worth $380 million [1][3]. Both platforms have seen growth, with inDrive reporting a 39.65% increase in driver payouts compared to the previous year [1][3].
However, this growth comes amid rising discontent among drivers. Strikes and protests, particularly in Lagos, have been a common occurrence in 2025, with drivers voicing frustration over rising fuel costs, high platform commissions, and insufficient support from ride-hailing companies [3]. In May 2025, drivers threatened to abandon Bolt, Uber, and inDrive unless demands for fairer commission rates and better working conditions were met [3].
Despite these challenges, both platforms play a crucial role in providing livelihoods amid Nigeria's inflation and job scarcity. Bolt has countered inDrive's lower commissions and fare-negotiation model by offering bonuses, including fuel subsidies, rewards, and lower commissions for high-performing drivers [2].
This dynamic, competitive, and challenging environment for ride-hailing in Nigeria is set to continue, reflecting the growing importance of these platforms in the country [1][3][5].
Note:
[1] The Guardian Nigeria
[2] TechCabal
[3] Premium Times
[5] Nairametrics
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In the dynamic Nigerian business landscape, both Bolt and inDrive, ride-hailing platforms, are not only competing but also making significant strides in the technology sector, influencing the country's financial scene. Meanwhile, amidst the growth, sports of protest and discontent have become regular occurrences among drivers, especially those working for these platforms, voicing concerns over economic issues like fuel costs, high commissions, and working conditions.
