Bolt, formerly known as Taxify, has rebranded to reflect its expanded vision of urban mobility, moving beyond ride-hailing to include scooter sharing and electric transport solutions. The change, announced by CEO Markus Villig, marks a strategic shift to align the company's identity with its broader transportation goals.
Villig stated, "Taxify launched five years ago with a mission to make urban transportation more convenient and affordable. Our first product was a taxi dispatch solution that gave the company its original name." The rebranding, he added, reflects the company’s evolution from a ride-hailing platform to a multi-modal mobility provider.
Shivachi Muleji, General Manager for East Africa at Bolt, explained that the new name "Bolt" symbolizes "fast, effortless movement" and underscores the company’s commitment to electric transportation. "Our ambition is to solve transportation problems on an increasingly broader scale," Muleji said, emphasizing the need for a brand that reflects future-oriented solutions.
The rebranding comes as Kenya’s taxi industry faces challenges, including high commissions for drivers and price wars among ride-hailing firms. Key players like Uber, Little, and Mondo Ride have disrupted traditional taxi services, but regulatory hurdles and unfair pricing practices have sparked protests among drivers over the past two years.
Bolt users will not need to take action, as the app will update automatically. The company’s expansion into scooter sharing and electric mobility aligns with global trends toward sustainable urban transport.
