Bolt unveils ‘Family Profile’ to boost ride-sharing flexibility and safety in Ghana

Ride-hailing giant Bolt has launched a new feature known as “Family Profile” in Ghana, allowing users to manage and pay for rides for up to nine other people from a single account. The innovation, designed to improve convenience, safety, and financial oversight, is part of Bolt’s ongoing commitment to enhancing everyday mobility solutions for Ghanaians.

According to Bolt, the feature responds to user behaviour, with between 2–6% of all rides currently ordered on behalf of someone else. 

Family Profile streamlines this process by enabling users to invite others to join their profile, set monthly spending limits, and receive real-time trip notifications. Members who use the Bolt app can independently request rides, while the account holder maintains full oversight.

“At Bolt, our goal is to create ride-hailing solutions that align with the everyday mobility needs of our customers,” said Caroline Wanjihia, Director, Rides Africa and Rest of World, Bolt.

“The launch of the Family Profile feature marks a significant step in empowering our customers to provide safe, seamless, and convenient transportation for their loved ones. By combining control, transparency, and flexibility in one feature, we’re proud to bring greater value and peace of mind to households across Ghana.”

While designed to accommodate families and support networks, Bolt stressed that the feature does not override the platform’s existing eligibility rules. Each added rider must have a Bolt account and be at least 18 years old. The company said these age restrictions are essential to uphold legal and safety standards, meaning the feature cannot be used to book rides for unaccompanied minors.

The feature is expected to be especially beneficial for parents, caregivers, and those supporting elderly relatives who may not be comfortable using smartphones or ride-hailing apps themselves. Bolt says the move could help remove practical barriers for older users, among whom ride-hailing usage is growing but adoption remains limited due to app complexity and payment issues.

In addition to offering more convenience, the Family Profile introduces enhanced safety and financial control features. Account holders can monitor each member’s ride activity, receive live alerts when rides start or end, and intervene when necessary—for example, by checking a ride’s route or contacting a rider or driver in case of delays or unexpected stops.

Family Profile joins a growing suite of safety tools on the Bolt app, including trip verification codes, real-time ride sharing, an emergency assistance button, and 24/7 monitoring by Bolt’s Safety Team.

Bolt engineers have also been working on technical upgrades to improve app performance in routing, mapping, and usability, underscoring the company’s effort to position itself as Ghana’s most user-friendly and secure ride-hailing service.

The feature is now available to all Bolt users in Ghana through the latest version of the app.