Following local e-hailing operator Wanatu’s registration under South Africa’s new transport regulations, Bolt has become the second operator to secure registration.
Bolt South Africa received its certificate of registration from the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR) on 27 February 2026, beating Uber in the process.
“This milestone not only reinforces Bolt’s commitment to regulatory compliance and constructive engagement with government, but also marks a significant step forward in strengthening safety,” said Bolt.
Senior public policy manager for Bolt South Africa, Fikile Nzuza-Chunga, said Bolt has always welcomed the introduction of clear and progressive regulations for the e-hailing sector.
The new regulations aim to ensure improved operational oversight, better safety standards, and greater certainty for drivers, riders, and platform operators.
“Receiving the certificate of registration from the NPTR is an important milestone not only for Bolt, but for the broader e-hailing industry,” said Nzuza-Chunga.
Bolt South Africa’s senior operations manager, Simo Kalajdzic, told 702 that the registration formalises how e-hailing platforms operate within the transport system.
He added that regulations will give drivers, riders, and the South African government greater clarity on the sector’s operations.
“We do need to ensure that drivers operating on the platform do comply with the licensing and permitting requirements,” Kalajdzic noted.
The National Land Transport Amendment Act of 2023, alongside the 2025 regulations, required e-hailing operators to convert their operating permits to e-hailing operating licences.
Initially gazetted in September 2025, operators took their time with registrations, prompting both the national and provincial governments to encourage them to register their apps in time.
“The National Department of Transport has reiterated that the clock is ticking for e-hailing operators to convert their charter permits and meter taxi operating licences to e-hailing operating licences,” said departmental spokesperson Collen Msibi.
“This comes in the wake of a concern regarding the snail’s pace of e-hailing platform companies and individuals registering their platforms.”
“We therefore call upon all the app companies operating in Gauteng to work with us by submitting their registration and help us build an accountable, efficient, and lawful public transport system,” said Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela.
Leading by example
Late last month, TopAuto reported that South Africa’s very own e-hailing service, Wanatu, was the first to meet the new requirements and receive its operating certificate.
The NPTR issued Wanatu a Certificate of Registration on 12 February 2026, stating that it complies with Regulations 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the new e-hailing laws.
The “Afrikaans Uber”, as it is affectionately known, confirmed that it had been proactively engaging with regulators, restructured its platform, and invested heavily in compliance measures to ensure its approval.
Wanatu said its pre-deadline registration positions it at the forefront of “a new, fully regulated era” for the local e-hailing industry.
This also formed part of a deliberate strategic decision by Wanatu to align its business with South Africa’s new legislation.
Wanatu managing director, Anton Grotius, confirmed that this was the company’s objective from the outset, as it aimed to operate within the law, and not around it.
“We invested significant time and resources to ensure that every element of our platform — from driver onboarding to in-vehicle safety systems — aligns with the amended Act,” he said.
“Wanatu views regulatory alignment not as an administrative requirement, but as a responsibility to passengers, drivers and the broader transport ecosystem.”
The deadline to register with the NPTR is 11 March 2026, giving Uber just under a week to secure its registration under the new regulations.
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