Bolt is expanding its delivery network in Mombasa with motorbikes, targeting the growing need for quicker and more affordable ways to move small parcels across the city.
The expansion of Bolt Send gives individuals and businesses a faster and more flexible option for small, time-sensitive deliveries, while supporting Mombasa’s growing e-commerce and small business economy. The motorbike service complements Bolt’s existing car-based parcel delivery offering, which was introduced in the city in March this year.
The move comes as delivery becomes an increasingly important part of how Kenyan businesses operate. For small retailers, online sellers, restaurants, pharmacies, offices and individuals, moving a product from one location to another is increasingly tied to customer satisfaction, sales and operating costs.
Supporting Small Businesses and Faster Deliveries
The addition of motorbikes is designed to address a practical gap in urban delivery. Smaller parcels do not always require a car, but they still need to reach their destination reliably and on time. Motorbikes can navigate busy traffic and access locations more easily, making them suitable for short-distance and time-sensitive deliveries.
For small businesses, this can provide a more flexible alternative to maintaining their own delivery fleet or relying on informal arrangements. A retailer can send an order directly to a customer, while an online seller can fulfil deliveries without employing dedicated riders. Businesses can also use the service to move documents between offices, while individuals can send items across the city without arranging private transport.
Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior General Manager, Rides, East Africa, said delivery has become an increasingly important part of how businesses serve their customers.
“For a small business, a delayed delivery can mean a delayed sale, a missed customer or an unnecessary operating cost,” Kanyankole said.
He added that the motorbike option is intended to make it easier to move smaller parcels around Mombasa using infrastructure customers already know and use.
Customers can request Bolt Send through the Bolt app, receive an upfront price estimate and track their parcel in real time. Deliveries are handled by eligible Bolt driver-partners, giving businesses access to delivery capacity when they need it without having to maintain their own fleet.
The service also comes at a time when e-commerce and social-commerce businesses are changing how customers expect to receive products. Delivery is increasingly part of the overall customer experience, with businesses needing logistics solutions that can respond to orders as they happen rather than depending only on scheduled or fixed-route courier services.
Creating New Earning Opportunities
The expansion is also expected to benefit Bolt’s motorcycle driver-partners by creating additional opportunities to earn from parcel deliveries alongside other services available through the platform.
This is particularly relevant as motorbikes continue to play an important role in urban logistics in Kenya. Their ability to move through congested areas and handle smaller deliveries makes them an increasingly practical option for businesses operating in busy cities.
Bolt’s expansion forms part of its broader strategy of using its technology and existing partner network to address everyday mobility and logistics needs.
Founded by Markus Villig, Martin Villig and Oliver Leisalu, Bolt is a European shared mobility platform operating in more than 50 countries and 850 cities. The company provides services including ride-hailing, scooter and e-bike rental and car rental, and serves more than 200 million customers globally. More than 4.5 million drivers use the Bolt platform.
