Friday, October 2, 2026

    Bolt Send surpasses one million parcel deliveries in Kenya as service expands beyond Nairobi

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    Nairobi, 1st October 2026 – Bolt’s same-day and on-demand parcel delivery Bolt Send, completed over 1 million deliveries in Kenya. This milestone was reached less than a year after its formal relaunch in September 2025, making Kenya the fastest-growing established Send market globally. Between January and July 2026, order volumes in Kenya grew by over 135%. By August, Kenya was running 67 per cent ahead of Ghana on a like-for-like two-wheel delivery basis, having overtaken it in May 2026.

    The growth has been driven by both of Bolt Send’s delivery categories. The two-wheel motorcycle category, reclassified as a distinct product in February 2026, grew by over 130% between January and July. The four-wheel car delivery service, introduced in Nairobi in March 2026, extended the offering to larger and bulkier goods that motorcycles cannot accommodate. On average, a Bolt Send delivery covers 9.4 kilometres, reflecting the service’s role in supporting the everyday movement of goods across Nairobi, from businesses sending stock and documents to individuals moving parcels across the city. Couriers on the platform have maintained an average rating of 4.84 out of 5.

    To further strengthen delivery security and accountability, Bolt Send has introduced PIN verification as part of its parcel handover process. Customers booking a delivery can choose to enable PIN verification; the recipient automatically receives a unique PIN in their app. At handover, drivers are prompted to enter the PIN, and the delivery cannot be completed until the correct code is provided. The feature adds an additional layer of verification, helping ensure parcels are handed over to the intended recipients.

    Usage patterns show that Bolt Send has become part of the working week rather than an occasional service. Fridays record the highest delivery volumes, at 23 per cent above the daily average, as businesses close orders, restock and meet end-of-week deadlines.

    Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior General Manager, Rides, East Africa said: “Reaching one million deliveries in under a year is a clear signal that Kenyans need delivery services that are reliable, accountable and built for how they live and do business. As the only app-based delivery platform with a full National Courier Operator licence from the Communications Authority, we are well placed to scale that service responsibly. With Mombasa now on board, we are taking Bolt Send to more customers and businesses across Kenya.”

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    This milestone builds on a significant regulatory development. In August 2025, the Communications Authority of Kenya gazetted Bolt as a National Courier Operator, enabling the formal relaunch of Bolt Send the following month. Approximately 95.7 per cent of all Send orders ever placed in Kenya were made after the gazettement, underscoring how decisively the regulatory clearance unlocked growth.

    In July 2026, Bolt received its full National Courier Operator licence, giving the service a stronger foundation to serve businesses and participate more fully in Kenya’s formal logistics ecosystem. The licence enables Bolt to pursue opportunities with corporate clients, retailers and e-commerce businesses that require formal courier services and reliable delivery infrastructure.

    Nairobi accounted for over 95% of Send volumes between January and July 2026, reflecting the capital’s position as Kenya’s largest centre for commerce and digital activity. Motorcycle deliveries expanded to Mombasa in August 2026, marking the beginning of Bolt Send’s national expansion. With its port activity, tourism industry and large retail ecosystem, Mombasa presents a significant opportunity for a service built around the movement of goods for individuals and businesses alike.

    Customers can also use Bolt Send to move parcels to long-distance bus termini for onward transport to destinations such as Kisumu, Nakuru or Meru, connecting app-based last-mile delivery to Kenya’s existing intercity transport networks.

    With the regulatory foundation in place and the service expanding beyond Nairobi, Bolt is focused on sustaining the momentum that carried it to one million deliveries while maintaining the service quality that has defined its growth.

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