Bolt Market Records 300% Growth Within 9 Months of Launch in Kenya

Bolt Market, the grocery delivery service operated by mobility giant Bolt, is reporting explosive growth less than a year after entering the Kenyan market.

The company says orders have increased by 300 per cent since its December 2024 launch, a sign of how quickly urban households are embracing digital shopping.

The service, part of the Bolt Food app, allows customers to shop for everything from fresh vegetables to cleaning products and have them delivered to their doorstep in under 15 minutes.

With more than 3,500 items available through both large retailers and small local shops, it has become a convenient option for many families who want groceries without the hassle of traffic or long queues.

“Kenyans want affordability without sacrificing convenience, and Bolt Market delivers exactly that,” Edgar Kitur, General Manager of Bolt Food, said.

Adding;

“The reception of Bolt Market has exceeded our expectations. The rapid growth since launch confirms we are solving a real need.”

Speed of service has also been a deciding factor, and Bolt has leaned heavily on its network of couriers to keep delivery times short. The company’s strategy of building partnerships with both supermarkets and smaller neighbourhood outlets has further expanded choice for customers.

Future of bolt

Looking ahead, Bolt is eyeing aggressive expansion.

“Our ambition is to expand coverage to more towns and neighbourhoods, ensuring even more people can access seamless, cost-friendly grocery delivery,” Kitur said. The company has outlined plans to reach new towns across Kenya before the end of 2025.

For Bolt, the growth of its grocery arm signals a broader shift in how cities shop. By connecting households to merchants while ensuring affordability and speed, the firm is positioning itself as a key player in the country’s retail ecosystem.

Founded in Estonia in 2013 as Taxify by entrepreneur Markus Villig, Bolt has grown into a global super-app offering ride-hailing, food and grocery delivery, micromobility and car-sharing.

It now operates in more than 600 cities across over 50 countries. Bolt Food launched in 2019 and introduced Bolt Market in 2021, with Kenya among the latest markets to receive the service.

Bolt Market is increasingly seen as a disruptor in Kenya’s fast-changing retail space, reshaping how people access everyday essentials.