Bolt and Gauteng Department Empower Local Entrepreneurs Through Urban Fund Initiative
Gauteng is putting innovation into drive, literally. In a spirited partnership between the Bolt Urban Fund and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, a new wave of entrepreneurship is gaining momentum—one that supports ride-hailing drivers and boosts township economies.
Live from the Bolt Accelerator Programme Award Ceremony, this groundbreaking initiative highlights how strategic collaborations can promote SMME development, foster job creation, and drive inclusive economic growth across Gauteng.
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Driving Small Business Dreams Forward
At the heart of the event was a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and grit. Ten enterprising Bolt drivers were awarded €2,000 each (approximately R40,000) to fund their ride-hailing-related business ideas. The funding comes after a comprehensive accelerator programme designed to equip drivers with entrepreneurial skills.
Participants received intensive training, mentorship, and business development support. On the final day, they pitched their ideas to a panel of judges in a bid to secure seed funding. The top 10 emerged victorious, showcasing concepts with the potential to reshape Gauteng’s urban mobility and digital services sectors.
A Shared Vision: Government and Private Sector Partnership
The initiative is part of the Bolt Urban Fund, a platform designed to drive change in urban communities by investing in small businesses and sustainable projects. Partnering with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development brought local relevance, policy alignment, and a broader vision: #GrowingGautengTogether.
This collaboration reflects our commitment to building a resilient township economy. Empowering ride-hailing drivers as entrepreneurs will help close the unemployment gap, particularly among youth.
From Behind the Wheel to Boardroom Leadership
Most drivers involved in the accelerator come from underserved communities and townships across Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane. This initiative opens the door for many to transition from being gig workers to micro-enterprise owners.
Business ideas ranged from vehicle maintenance cooperatives to ride-hailing solutions for school transport and elderly mobility services. Each proposal had to demonstrate scalability, community benefit, and alignment with Gauteng’s digital and green economy priorities.
By supporting these drivers, the programme contributes directly to township revitalisation, a key pillar of Gauteng’s Growing Gauteng Together 2030 strategy.
Making SMMEs the Engine of Growth
According to the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), SMMEs contribute over 40% to South Africa’s GDP and employ around 60% of the workforce. However, access to funding, mentorship, and structured support remains limited, especially in the township economy.
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Bridging the Gap Between Informal Work and Formal Entrepreneurship
The Bolt Accelerator Programme also helps shift perceptions around gig work. By creating pathways for drivers to develop business models, Gauteng is blurring the lines between informal income-generating activities and formal enterprise development.
Participants now have access to a network of mentors, possible business partners, and ongoing support through Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) and other development agencies.
A Boost for Gauteng’s Digital and Green Economy
This Bolt and Gauteng Department of Economic Development initiative is also aligned with the province’s broader goals to build a digitally enabled, green, and inclusive economy. Many of the projects presented during the award ceremony integrated sustainable practices and tech-driven solutions.
These align with current priorities to promote green mobility, reduce urban congestion, and make township transport more efficient and environmentally friendly.
A Blueprint for Scalable Impact
The success of the Bolt Accelerator Programme demonstrates how public-private partnerships can ignite change at the grassroots level. With €20,000 (over R400,000) awarded in total, this is just the beginning of what could become a scalable model across other sectors and provinces.
By nurturing entrepreneurship within Gauteng’s ride-hailing community, the initiative lays a foundation for job creation, innovation, and economic resilience.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the energy in the room was unmistakable — hopeful, determined, and forward-looking. And with initiatives like this, Gauteng is not only growing — it’s accelerating.
