General News
Bolt, Fixit45 Collaborate to Improve Access to Autocare Services
Fixit45, has partnered with leading ride-hailing platform, Bolt to provide its community of drivers with access to subscription-based plans that minimize potential mobility disruption and improves their chances of income optimization.
This is in light of the pivotal role played by the mobility industry in the general, and ride-hailing segment in accelerating economic growth as well as driving shared prosperity, coupled with the need to sustain these mobility efforts, auto tech platform.
This partnership is premised on Bolt’s dedication to redefining urban mobility by helping people move seamlessly and empowering partners to improve their earnings and Fixit45’s avowed commitment to building a seamless autocare & auto-repair, maintenance services, fleet management and so much more.
The subscription-based service plan for drivers on the Bolt platform guarantees unfettered access to quality auto services that include autocare, vehicle repair and maintenance from Fixit45’s service network across the country. Other benefits include access to repair financing, discounts on spare parts, unlimited diagnosis, periodic car wash and tire services.
Justus Obaoye, CEO and Co-Founder, Fixit45, noted that given the enabling power of mobility as a critical success factor in stimulating advancement and development for both urban and rural economies, it is imperative that concerted efforts are made towards mitigating disruptions in that space.
“As a platform that enhances mobility experiences, Fixit45 has collaboration in its DNA. As such, we are excited to partner with a market leader in the ride-hailing space in oiling the wheels of progress.
“This service plan ensures that drivers’ inactivity often occasioned by vehicle operational downtime is minimized while increased earnings, improved vehicle reliability, and quick service turnaround time are some of the perks that come with this partnership.
This partnership with Bolt is poised to keep the lights of the Nigerian economy on,” Obaoye said.
Speaking on the partnership, Femi Akin-Laguda, Country Manager at Bolt, said, “At Bolt, our promise to improve drivers’ experience has been central to our continued success in Nigeria.
“Our commitment is reflected in our constant effort to build new avenues that help make our drivers and fleet partners more profitable. This partnership will improve the access of our partners to cost-effective autocare, repair financing and so much more.”
He concluded by saying, “We do not select our partners or partnerships frivolously. Working with Fixit45 on this project will help our drivers keep their cars in great conditions and save them a lot of time and money in maintaining their vehicles leading to better experiences for all our customers, be they drivers or passengers.”
“With technology increasingly contributing to the development of mobility, strategic engagements like this will help make life easier and put both firms at the forefront of driving change.
“We are driven by our overarching purpose which is to facilitate the exchange of goods and services, thereby enabling value creation for all participants and this partnership bolsters our mandate. It is heart-warming to note that we are helping stakeholders see that we are not here to compete but here to facilitate and enable the fix that makes every car owner happy,” Abdulazeez Ogunjobi, co-founder/CTO, Fixit45.
Since it entered the Nigerian market, Bolt has focused on developing products that offer better and more affordable alternatives in the mobility segment whilst making giant contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth. Fixit45 has been building the infrastructure for a robust automotive aftermarket industry.
Zainab Salami, executive director and co-founder, MSwitch Creative Hub, on Sunday revealed that over 53% of young Nigerians aged 15-24 are jobless, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic interventions to tackle the crisis.
She emphasized MSwitch’s commitment to empowering young creatives and digital professionals by equipping them with the skills and opportunities needed for sustainable careers.
Salami disclosed this in Abuja during the MSwitch launch of the ‘Remote Job Initiative,’ a groundbreaking program in partnership with AfriLabs, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a global hub for digital excellence.
She emphasized that the initiative seeks to connect Nigerian talent with global employers, strengthening the country’s presence in the international digital economy.
She noted that the program aims to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity by equipping youth with essential skills, access to global employers, and state-of-the-art co-working spaces.
Salami said: “Over 53% of young Nigerians aged 15-24 are either unemployed or underemployed. This program will create 2,000 remote job opportunities for young creatives and tech professionals, enabling them to earn, grow, and contribute to the nation’s economy without leaving the country.
“Beyond job placement, this initiative is designed to equip young professionals with the tools and environment needed for long-term success.
“To support this, we are investing in infrastructure and establishing fully equipped co-working spaces with 24/7 electricity, high-speed internet, cutting-edge technology, and industry-standard tools to maximize productivity.”
In his remarks, Ajibola Odukoya, chief operating officer, AfriLabs, described the organization’s expansive footprint across Africa and its dedication to capacity building.
He emphasized that beyond training, the next step is placing Africans in gainful employment.
Odukoya said: “AfriLabs is the largest network of innovation and technology hubs in Africa. We operate in 53 countries, across 225 cities, with 500 physical locations, and have about 80 million people in our ecosystem.
“We have partnered with international businesses and generated a pool of over 200,000 job vacancies targeted at Africans of all ages, as long as they qualify. To solve infrastructure challenges associated with remote work in Africa, we are using our innovation hubs, such as MSwitch in Abuja, as dedicated workstations with world-class facilities to support productivity,” Odukoya added.
Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has emphasized the crucial role of Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) in tackling national challenges and fostering economic growth.
Speaking at the launch of the Sankore Project, a collaborative initiative between Nigeria and Ghana, Nnaji highlighted how ST&I can drive economic diversification, job creation, climate resilience, improved public health, food security, and sustainable energy development.
“The Sankore Project promises to deliver innovative solutions that will significantly enhance economic growth, improve public service delivery, and raise living standards across our region,” Nnaji stated.
He added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, particularly in advancing technology, capacity building, and economic growth.
The project, supported by the UK’s International Development arm, is backed by an accountable grant delivery mechanism worth up to £1.9 million. It aims to strengthen ST&I systems in both Nigeria and Ghana through structured project delivery and rigorous monitoring of impacts.
Susan Mshana, Deputy Development Director at the British High Commission, explained that the funding, provided by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, will be executed in two work streams to reinforce science and technology partnerships between the UK, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, underscored the importance of collaboration in Africa’s development, urging Nigeria to take a leadership role in the continent’s innovation landscape.
“Nigeria is a sleeping giant that needs to wake up, so the rest of Africa can wake up. This initiative provides an opportunity to drive innovation, create jobs, and collectively overcome shared challenges”, Muhammed said.
He further stressed the need to commercialize research output, urging stakeholders to shift from skepticism to practical application.
As both nations forge ahead with the Sankore Project, stakeholders express optimism that the partnership will catalyze scientific breakthroughs and sustainable development in the region.
Nigeria has plans to launch a $40 million fund to support early-stage tech startups, aiming to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and reduce young companies’ reliance on private investors.
The fund will be equally financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), which manages the national sovereign wealth fund.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), confirmed the final agreement would be signed within the next month.
The initiative is part of Nigeria’s Startup Act, adopted in October 2022, which aims to create a favorable environment for startups through tax incentives and financial support.
The act established a 10 billion naira (approximately $8.6 million) annual fund to finance certified startups through seed funding, grants, or loans.
According to Disrupt Africa, Nigeria’s startup ecosystem attracted over $2 billion in investments between January 2015 and August 2022, positioning the country as Africa’s leader.
Companies like Flutterwave, Andela, and Opay achieved multi-billion-dollar valuations.
, fundraising dropped to $224 million in 2023, down from $531 million in 2022 and over $1 billion in 2021.
This decline highlights the need for government intervention to revitalize the tech ecosystem amid investor caution.
The new fund marks a significant step for Nigeria, which aims to foster local innovation.
Currently, 12,948 companies are registered as startups, benefiting from a three-year tax exemption. Low awareness of the law’s benefits has prompted the government to plan a nationwide information campaign.
By facilitating access to funding, the initiative could strengthen support for existing startups and stimulate new tech ventures, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a leading hub for digital innovation in Africa.
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