Bolt officially ceased its ride-hailing operations in Tunisia on May 9. The ride-hailing app is now completely inaccessible in the country, showing users a message that reads, “Bolt is not yet available here.”
This follows a government order suspending multiple transport platforms over serious financial allegations, including money laundering, tax fraud, and operating without proper licenses.
Government crackdown on ride-hailing apps in Tunisia
The shutdown wasn’t sudden. For weeks, Bolt continued limited operations despite a nationwide ban. The turning point came after an investigation by Tunisia’s National Guard Financial Unit alleged that ride-hailing platforms, including Bolt, were funneling funds overseas and evading taxes.
According to the Ministry of Interior, around 12 million Tunisian dinars were seized, and several company offices were shut down.
Authorities also removed Bolt from the national business registry, accusing it of running unauthorized transport services. Bolt, however, denies these claims, saying its operations fully complied with Tunisian law.
Impact of Bolt’s exit on drivers and Tunisia’s urban mobility
Bolt’s suspension has left thousands of Tunisians in economic uncertainty. Since entering the market in 2019, Bolt has become a lifeline for independent drivers in cities like Tunis, Sfax, and Sousse, especially as Tunisia’s unemployment rate hovered around 16 percent in late 2024.
With the country’s public transport system underfunded and often unreliable, ride-hailing services filled a critical gap. But tensions had already been brewing. Traditional taxi drivers often clashed with app-based platforms, and fare inflation on some digital services created frustration among users.
Now, with platforms like Bolt removed from the scene, both drivers and commuters are left stranded. While the government says its crackdown aims to enforce the law, critics argue the move may worsen unemployment and limit access to affordable urban transport.
Calls for clear digital platform regulation in Tunisia
Bolt’s dramatic exit has reignited debates about the legal framework for digital services in Tunisia. Currently, platforms operate in a legal gray area, neither fully accepted nor outright banned. This regulatory vacuum makes companies vulnerable to sudden policy shifts and heavy-handed enforcement.
Tunisia must create clear and consistent laws to build a digital economy that works for everyone, users, workers, and investors. Without that, future partnerships with international tech firms may be at risk, and domestic startups could struggle to survive.
As digital platforms continue to reshape mobility and employment in Africa, Tunisia faces a key decision: embrace innovation with smart oversight or risk shutting the door on growth.
