Online taxi service Bolt has implemented restrictions on inter-country ride requests between Nigeria and South Africa following a recent surge in prank bookings that have created significant disruptions for drivers in both countries.
The prank involved users booking and then canceling rides across borders, resulting in drivers wasting fuel and time on fruitless trips.
Munyaradzi Chinyama, a Zimbabwean Bolt driver in Cape Town, reported that he received several ride requests from Nigeria before realizing they were not genuine. “I ended up wasting a lot of fuel, time, and money,” Chinyama told the BBC. In response to the issue, Bolt has identified and blocked users involved in these disruptive activities, emphasizing its commitment to supporting its driver-partners.
The company acknowledged the negative impact on drivers in both Nigeria and South Africa, stating, “We understand the challenges this situation has caused and are taking steps to address them.” While inter-country requests will be restricted between Nigeria and South Africa, Bolt will continue to support such requests between other countries.
Chinyama also experienced harassment through Bolt’s messaging feature, receiving derogatory messages and insults. The origins of this “Bolt war” are unclear, but social media users in the two largest economies in sub-Saharan Africa have a history of mutual trolling.
One social media user admitted to initiating the prank on X, stating, “When I’m bored, I request [Bolt] in Nigeria. Akere their brothers are disrespecting us.” This act of trolling triggered retaliatory actions from Nigerians.
A Nigerian driver in Kano recounted receiving a fraudulent airport trip request from an international number. Despite numerous attempts to contact the customer, the trip was eventually canceled. He noted that many of his fellow drivers faced similar problems.
Social media users have voiced their support for the affected drivers, criticizing the pranksters for targeting individuals trying to earn a living. “Uber and Bolt drivers are just trying to make ends meet. They aren’t on Twitter trolling anyone. They are literally trying to earn an honest living. Please leave them alone,” one user wrote.
The prank has also exacerbated issues related to fuel prices in Nigeria, where recent price hikes have made fuel a scarce resource. Additionally, the disruptions have contributed to increased ride costs, leaving many passengers unable to afford transportation.
The tension between South Africans and Nigerians on social media has been evident in various disputes, including recent controversies over beauty pageants and pop music rivalries. The current issue reflects ongoing animosity between the two nations, which often spills over into online interactions.