Business
Bolt beats Uber to official registration under South Africa’s new e-hailing rules
For millions of South Africans who rely on ride-hailing apps every day, the industry has often felt like it operates in a legal grey area. That uncertainty is slowly fading. Bolt has now officially registered its platform under South Africa’s new transport regulations, marking a major moment for the country’s rapidly evolving e-hailing sector.
The company confirmed that it received its certificate of registration from the National Public Transport Regulator on 27 February 2026. The move places Bolt among the first major ride-hailing platforms to align with the country’s newly structured regulatory framework.
While Bolt celebrated the milestone, it is worth noting that a Pretoria-based platform called Wanatu actually secured registration slightly earlier.
A new era for ride-hailing regulation
South Africa’s ride-hailing industry has grown dramatically over the past decade. Services such as Bolt and Uber reshaped how many people move around cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
Yet for years, the sector operated in a complicated regulatory environment. Traditional taxi operators, government departments, and e-hailing platforms often disagreed about licensing rules and operating standards.
The National Land Transport Amendment Act of 2023, together with regulations introduced in 2025, was designed to settle that uncertainty. The updated legislation formally created a regulatory structure for digital ride-hailing platforms, with the aim of improving oversight, safety standards, and compliance.
When the amendments were gazetted in September 2025, the Department of Transport gave platforms a 180-day window to meet the new requirements.
Bolt says registration strengthens safety and oversight
Bolt says its registration signals a commitment to working with regulators and building a more transparent system for drivers and passengers.
According to the company, the new framework provides clearer rules for how ride-hailing platforms should operate within South Africa’s transport system. That clarity is expected to benefit riders, drivers, and government authorities alike.
Senior public policy manager at Bolt South Africa, Fikile Nzuza-Chunga, described the registration as an important step not only for Bolt but also for the entire industry. She said the company has long supported the introduction of clear and progressive regulations for the e-hailing sector.
Senior operations manager Simo Kalajdzic also explained that the framework formalises how digital ride platforms function within the country’s transport network. A key requirement is ensuring that drivers operating on these platforms comply with licensing and permit rules.
For passengers, the expectation is that stronger regulation will improve safety oversight and create greater accountability across the industry.
Wanatu actually reached the finish line first
Although Bolt describes itself as the first major platform to register, a smaller South African player technically beat both Bolt and Uber to the milestone.
Pretoria-based Wanatu announced on 24 February 2026 that it had successfully completed the National Public Transport Regulator’s registration process. The company launched in late 2024 and said it deliberately built its platform to comply with South African transport laws from the start.
Wanatu managing director Anton Grotius explained that the company made a strategic decision early on to operate fully within the legal framework rather than adapting later.
The company invested heavily in compliance systems and designed its driver onboarding process and vehicle safety features around the requirements of the amended transport legislation.
What about Uber?
Uber has confirmed that it applied to register with the National Public Transport Regulator. However, at the time of reporting, the company had not provided an update on whether its application had been finalised.
Earlier in February 2026, there were concerns that ride-hailing operators might struggle to meet the compliance deadline. At that stage, no platform had successfully registered.
The Department of Transport later expressed confidence that companies would come on board in time, with officials saying the process was taking longer than expected but was progressing.
Why this matters for South African riders
For everyday commuters in cities like Johannesburg, these regulatory developments might seem technical. In reality, they could shape the future of ride-hailing in the country.
Clear rules can help stabilise the industry, reduce disputes over permits and licensing, and potentially improve safety standards for passengers and drivers.
South Africans have increasingly relied on e-hailing apps as an alternative to traditional transport options. In busy urban centres, services like Bolt have become part of daily life for workers, students, and travellers alike.
With companies now formally registering under the country’s updated legislation, the ride-hailing sector is entering a more structured phase. What began as a disruptive tech service is slowly becoming a regulated part of South Africa’s broader transport ecosystem.
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: MyBroadband
Featured Image: Techpoint Africa
