KENYA – Ride-hailing firm Bolt has officially launched its food delivery service, Bolt Food, in Nairobi, Kenya.
This comes months after the Estonian company hinted of diversifying its operations in the East African nation, with an advertisement of a Country Manager job position in August.
According to the company, the new service will give users access to a huge variety of restaurants and menus at the tap of a button as well as boost the customer base for various restaurants.
The launch is timely and gives Kenyan eateries a base to expand their customer reach following the government directing hotels and restaurants to provide take away services only until further notice, as part of a string of new measures aimed at combating the increasing cases of COVID-19.
To this end it has over-boarded 200 restaurants on the platform, among them; KFC, Big Square, Pizza Mojo, Urban Gourmet Burger, Debonairs Pizza, Steers Ohcha Noodle Bar, The Chef House, Wings Kenya Alchemist, Shokudo Japanese, Barista & Co, Mercado, Awash Ethiopian restaurant, Charlie’s Bistro and Bao Box, among others, with plans to add new restaurants to the app daily.
“Food delivery has been a popular request for quite some time and we are glad to bring this service to the millions of people who are using our platform.”
Bolt Food Country Manager – Edgar Kipngetich Kitur
The E-hailing service provider will leverage on its already developed network and infrastructure in the country to build its new offering.
“Food delivery has been a popular request for quite some time and we are glad to bring this service to the millions of people who are using our platform.
“We have a rich history in disrupting markets and will be applying our experience to our food delivery platform and offer affordable delivery fees, better working conditions for our couriers and you can find our favourite brands selection,” said Bolt Food Country Manager: Edgar Kipngetich Kitur.
To entice the urban population who have been using food and grocery delivery services offered by competitors Uber Eats, Jumia Foods and Glovo, Bolt has partnered with the restaurants to offer promotion packages and free delivery.
“We are committed to transforming the food delivery sector in Kenya through quality services at affordable costs. We continue to serve our customers better and provide a viable economic opportunity to thousands of people,” added Edgar Kipngetich Kitur.
All existing drivers on its platform can join the delivery segment but they will be using motorbikes as its primary means of delivering food to ensure fast, efficient service.
Currently, the delivery service is available in Parklands, Westlands, Highridge, Spring Valley, Kitisuru, Lavington, South C, South B, Kilimani, Upperhill and Valley Arcade.
Kenya becomes the third country in Africa where Bolt food is currently available, after a successful launch in South Africa and Ghana.
Earlier this month, the company signalled that its aiming to set base in Nigeria with again a job position advertisement on the company’s website for a Restaurant Sales Manager.
Overall, Bolt offers food delivery services in 16 countries and 33 cities across the world.
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