Bolt is expanding its rider identity verification system across South Africa, in a move aimed at strengthening safety controls and improving trust between passengers and drivers on its platform.

The update comes as ride-hailing services face growing pressure to tighten security standards and improve accountability in day-to-day operations.

The company said the rollout will require users to verify their identity using a South African ID number paired with a live selfie check.

The process will be introduced gradually across the country as part of a wider safety upgrade designed to reduce misuse of accounts and improve traceability during trips.

The shift reflects broader concerns in South Africa’s urban transport market, where safety incidents and verification gaps have increasingly shaped how passengers choose mobility services.

Bolt said the new system is intended to reinforce accountability by ensuring that users on the platform are properly identified.

According to the company, the verification process is supported by a third-party partner and cross-checked with records from the Department of Home Affairs. It added that the aim is to make the system both secure and easy to use, with most verifications completed within minutes.

Identity checks expanded

Under the updated system, riders will be prompted to enter their ID number and take a selfie through the app. The system automatically matches the data in most cases, allowing quick approval for verified users.

If the automated process cannot confirm a user’s identity, riders may be asked to upload additional documents for manual review. Bolt said the process was designed to reduce friction while maintaining stronger identity controls across the platform.

Safety and trust measures

Bolt said the verification update is part of a broader safety framework that includes in-app emergency tools, real-time trip tracking, and closer coordination with authorities. The company has been investing in layered safety systems as ride-hailing demand grows in major South African cities.

Sbu Ngwane, senior general manager at Bolt South Africa, said research from Ipsos shows that safety and trust remain key concerns for riders. He added that while identity checks strengthen accountability, they are not sufficient on their own to eliminate risk on the platform.

Industry pressure and regulation

Ride-hailing operators in South Africa are under increasing scrutiny from regulators and users to improve safety standards and tighten onboarding systems. The sector has also faced rising expectations to reduce fraud and improve user verification.

Bolt said its approach reflects a broader shift in the industry toward stronger identity checks and multi-layered safety systems. The company said it will continue working with regulators, law enforcement, and technology partners as it expands the rollout nationwide.