Bolt, the Estonian mobility platform, has partnered with the government of Mombasa County, Kenya’s second-largest city, to launch a programme to help 400 delivery riders in the county obtain formal licences.
The programme will use Kenya’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework, which allows workers who have gained skills through practical experience to have those skills assessed and formally recognised. Enrolled riders will complete 21 days of accredited training through a certified driving school before receiving their licences from Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), based on their demonstrated competency.
The programme is part of a partnership between Bolt and the Mombasa County government that began with a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2026. Under the agreement, both parties work together to improve compliance and safety in the transport sector, support youth employment and help transport businesses adopt digital platforms.
The partnership comes as Kenya grapples with how to formally recognise and regulate its motorcycle and app-based delivery economy. More than 2 million riders are active in Kenya’s boda-boda sector, according to a 2025 parliamentary report, making it a major source of employment. However, the report noted that many operators remain improperly documented or professionally trained. Bolt and Mombasa County’s programme is an effort to bring riders into the formal transport system by providing experienced delivery workers with a path to recognised training and licensing.
“We are very happy to be partnering with Bolt as we launch this training for our delivery riders,” said HE. Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, Governor of Mombasa County. “Our partnership with Bolt demonstrates the value of public-private collaboration in delivering practical solutions that improve the lives of our residents. By formally recognising the skills our riders already have, and giving them a clear path to a licence and a livelihood they can be proud of, this programme reflects our vision of a competitive, inclusive and future-ready Mombasa.”
The programme is intended for delivery riders who have practical experience but lack the formal qualification required for licensing. Under the RPL framework, their existing riding skills are assessed against recognised standards.
Bolt has also committed KES 1.5 million ($11,591) to support the partnership with Mombasa County. The investment will support rider and driver compliance, training and licensing, and the digitisation of transport businesses across the county.
The partnership also includes sharing trip and demand data with the county. The data is expected to help the government understand transport patterns and plan infrastructure, including the potential placement of electric-vehicle charging points.