Nigeria's e-hailing drivers to get low-emission cars

In a groundbreaking move to promote sustainability and empower e-hailing drivers in Nigeria, Bolt, a ride-hailing platform, has partnered with Metro Africa Express to provide 10,000 drivers with the opportunity to lease and own low-to-zero emission vehicles. This initiative aims to address the challenges faced by drivers in accessing affordable financing and vehicle ownership. Paddy Partridge, the Regional Director for Ride-hailing in Africa and the Middle East, and Chinedu Azodoh, the Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at MAXNG, recently spoke with CNBC Africa to shed light on the significance of this collaboration. Partridge emphasized that the partnership with MAXNG is an effort to solve the issue of a limited number of drivers owning their vehicles, hindering their ability to access affordable financing. By enabling drivers to lease vehicles and eventually become asset owners, the initiative aims to empower drivers to take control of their businesses and potentially establish their own fleets. Additionally, the partnership seeks to address the high demand for e-hailing services in the region by facilitating access to more vehicles through affordable financing options. Azodoh highlighted the importance of the financing program in transforming drivers' mentality towards ownership and repayment. By leveraging alternative driver data and risk management strategies, MAXNG aims to provide drivers with a network of support beyond vehicle financing. This includes services such as health insurance, licensing assistance, and technology-driven solutions to ensure drivers can operate efficiently and sustainably. Moreover, Azodoh emphasized the use of technology to create an alternative credit scoring system that expedites the financing process and enhances the overall driver experience. Looking ahead, Partridge discussed the mid-term plan of integrating low to zero emission vehicles into their partnership with MAXNG. As governments in Africa introduce policies to incentivize eco-friendly vehicles and invest in charging infrastructure, both Bolt and MAXNG are committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles in the region. Their shared vision of making transport more accessible, affordable, and sustainable drives this strategic focus on promoting environmentally friendly transportation solutions. Overall, the collaboration between Bolt and MAXNG marks a significant step towards fostering innovation, sustainability, and financial inclusion within the e-hailing industry in Nigeria.