Bolt is partnering with the Mombasa County Government on a programme aimed at helping 400 delivery riders gain formal motorcycle licences through Kenya’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system.

The initiative is designed for experienced riders who have developed their skills through practical work but do not yet have the formal qualifications required for licensing.

Rather than requiring riders to begin their training from scratch, the programme will assess their existing abilities against recognised standards and provide additional accredited training where necessary.

21 Days of Accredited Training

Participants enrolled in the programme will undertake 21 days of training at a certified driving school.

Once they demonstrate the required level of competency, they will be eligible to receive their licences from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

The approach is intended to connect practical experience with formal certification while improving safety and compliance within Mombasa's growing delivery economy.

A Response to Kenya's Large Boda-Boda Economy

The programme comes as authorities continue working to formalise Kenya's motorcycle transport sector.

A 2025 parliamentary report estimated that more than 2 million riders operate within the country's boda-boda economy, making motorcycle transport an important source of employment.

However, the sector also faces challenges around documentation, training and regulatory compliance.

For delivery riders who are already working but lack formal certification, the RPL framework provides a route into the regulated transport system without disregarding the skills they have gained on the job.

Partnership Between Bolt and Mombasa County

The latest programme follows a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2026 between Bolt and the Mombasa County government.

Under the partnership, the two sides agreed to collaborate on areas including transport compliance, road safety, youth employment and the adoption of digital tools by transport businesses.

The licensing initiative is one of the practical projects emerging from that broader agreement.

Bolt Commits KSh1.5 Million

Bolt has committed KSh1.5 million to support the partnership.

The funding will go towards activities related to rider and driver compliance, training, licensing and the digitalisation of transport businesses within the county.

The company says it wants the programme to create benefits that go beyond individual riders by helping build a more organised and technology-enabled local transport economy.

Transport Data Could Support Mombasa's Planning

The partnership also includes the sharing of trip and demand data with Mombasa County authorities.

The information could help officials understand how people and goods move around the city and support decisions around transport infrastructure.

One potential application is determining where infrastructure such as electric-vehicle charging stations could be located as the county considers the future of cleaner transportation.

Opportunity Beyond Food Delivery

Bolt says gaining a formal licence could open up more opportunities for participants than simply continuing to work as delivery riders.

The company views certification as a way to improve professional mobility and give experienced workers a recognised qualification that can support their livelihoods across the wider transportation sector.

Benjamin Sulle, Bolt's public policy manager, said the initiative is intended to address the gap between the skills many young riders already possess and the formal recognition those skills require.

Riders Face Rising Operating Costs

The programme comes at a difficult time for motorcycle and ride-hailing operators in Kenya.

Fuel and operating costs have put pressure on mobility workers, while riders have also raised concerns about the economics of working on digital platforms.

In May, Bolt increased ride-hailing fares in Kenya by 6%, citing higher operating costs.

Petrol prices in Nairobi had reached around KSh197.60 per litre following the April fuel-price review.

The higher costs have contributed to demonstrations and threats of industrial action from some ride-hailing drivers.

Against this backdrop, Bolt says formal training and compliance can help create a more sustainable environment for riders and local businesses.

Bolt Continues Expanding Its Digital Ecosystem

The Mombasa initiative is also part of Bolt's broader push beyond conventional ride-hailing.

In July, the company integrated its ride-booking service with ChatGPT, allowing users in Africa and other markets to request rides through OpenAI's chatbot.

The company is therefore combining mobility services with digital technology while working with governments on areas such as regulation, licensing and urban transport planning.

What the Programme Could Mean

For Mombasa, the initiative offers a way to bring experienced riders into the formal transport system while potentially improving safety and compliance.

For riders, it provides a pathway to formal certification without discarding skills developed through years of practical experience.

And for the county government, access to better transport data could support future planning as Mombasa's mobility needs continue to grow.

The programme ultimately reflects a wider shift in African cities: digital platforms are increasingly working with governments not only to provide services, but also to help formalise the workers and businesses operating within the transport economy.