Ride-hailing platform Bolt has integrated its services with ChatGPT, enabling users across Africa and other markets where it operates to plan and book rides directly through the AI-powered assistant.
The global rollout, announced on Thursday, July 30, makes Bolt available to ChatGPT’s estimated 900 million weekly users in all of the company’s markets simultaneously, instead of introducing the feature country by country.
The integration allows users to request a ride within ChatGPT, receive an upfront fare estimate, compare route options, and check their driver’s estimated arrival time before completing the booking in the Bolt app.
Users will also receive recommendations on the most convenient pickup location to reduce waiting time.
“When ready to travel, the details transfer to the Bolt app, where the booking is completed,” the company said in a statement.
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Bolt Rolls Out Ride Booking Through ChatGPT
Speaking on the launch, Bolt’s Regional Director for Rides Operations in Africa and South East Asia, Caroline Wanjihia, said changing consumer habits are reshaping how people access transport services.
“People don’t plan their evening in five different apps anymore. A lot of that planning happens in one conversation now,” Wanjihia said.
“For years, booking a ride meant opening a dedicated ride-hailing app. As more everyday interactions take place through conversational technology, we think requesting a ride should be just as straightforward: ask, see the price, and go.”
At launch, customers will still complete payments through the Bolt app. However, the company said it plans to introduce in-app payments within ChatGPT later this year, allowing users to complete the entire booking process without leaving the platform.
The Estonia-headquartered mobility platform said the move reflects growing adoption of digital assistants for travel planning.
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How it Will Work
To use the feature, riders would need to enable Bolt inside ChatGPT from the chatbot’s Plugins or Apps directory, which catalogs third-party services that can connect to ChatGPT.
Once enabled, users can type a request for a ride, and ChatGPT responds with available ride categories, fare estimates, expected arrival times, and the recommended pickup location.
After selecting a ride, users can continue booking in Bolt, which launches the app with the trip details already filled in.
The ride itself is paid for on the Bolt app, meaning existing payment methods such as cards or wallets linked to Bolt continue to handle the transaction.
Although the ChatGPT integration currently stops at booking, Bolt said it plans to bring payments directly into ChatGPT in the future.
Users must also manually connect their Bolt account through ChatGPT before accessing the service.
Bolt Bets on Growing Demand for AI-Powered Travel Planning
According to Accenture’s Consumer Pulse Research 2025, which surveyed more than 18,000 consumers across 14 countries, 80 percent of travellers globally use digital assistants when planning trips.
At the same time, more than half said they would be comfortable allowing the technology to manage their travel arrangements.
The company said integrating its ride-hailing service into ChatGPT is intended to make it easier for customers to access transport while planning their journeys.
Bolt’s integration with ChatGPT opens its service to that expanding user base while tapping into Africa’s ride-hailing market expected to grow to $3.25 billion by 2031.
Bolt operates in more than 50 countries and 850 cities, serving over 200 million customers worldwide.
The platform also supports more than 4.5 million drivers and offers services including ride-hailing, e-bike and scooter rentals, and car rentals.
The company said the new feature is available through the ChatGPT app, with additional functionality, including direct payment, expected to be introduced later this year.
Bolt is available in the ChatGPT app store via the link here.
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