Ride hailing companies Bolt and WANATU have secured their e hailing operator licences ahead of South Africa’s March 11 compliance deadline, marking an important step in the country’s efforts to formally regulate the fast growing ride hailing sector. The development follows the implementation of new regulatory measures aimed at bringing order and accountability to the industry.
Bolt confirmed it received its Certificate of Registration from the National Public Transport Regulator on February 27. The company’s Senior Public Policy Manager for South Africa, Fikile Nzuza-Chunga, described the approval as a significant milestone that would help strengthen trust within the sector while improving safety for both drivers and passengers.
WANATU also announced that it had completed the full registration process required under the new regulations. The licensing process stems from amendments to the National Land Transport Act, which took effect on September 12, 2025, giving ride hailing platforms 180 days to comply with the new rules before drivers could begin applying for their individual operating permits.
Despite the progress made by some platforms, concerns remain within the industry as thousands of drivers are yet to begin the permit application process. Drivers cannot apply for permits until their platforms receive licences, a delay that has created uncertainty with only days left before the deadline.
Leaders within the sector say the slow pace of the process could expose drivers to risks. Siyabonga Hlabisa of the Western Cape E hailing Association noted that provincial authorities had indicated they would wait for the platforms to register before issuing driver permits, suggesting the timeline should not be treated as a rigid deadline.
The situation is particularly sensitive because South Africa’s ride hailing sector has long faced tensions with the powerful taxi industry, which many operators accuse of intimidation and attacks on drivers. Several drivers have expressed fears that failure to secure permits before the deadline could reignite conflicts with traditional taxi operators.
Officials have acknowledged the delays in the registration process. Collen Msibi said authorities expect to publish a full list of licensed e hailing platforms before the end of March, even as companies such as Uber confirmed they have submitted applications and are still awaiting approval. Without a possible extension or faster processing of driver permits, analysts warn that the transition period intended to stabilise the industry could instead create new tensions across the sector