New knowledge from a report by Bolt in partnership with Ipsos reveals that over 50% of gig employees in Kenya now depend on it as their main supply of revenue.
In response to the report, Kenya’s gig economic system now helps roughly 1.5 million employees. This accounts for about 5–6% of the nation’s labour power. The sector generates an estimated $1.09 billion (KES ~140 billion) yearly.
Soyinka Witness, Technique Director, Ipsos mentioned, “The findings from this examine spotlight the more and more necessary function platform-based work is enjoying in Kenya’s evolving labour market. Greater than half of ride-hailing drivers depend on these platforms as their main supply of revenue, whereas many others use them to complement present earnings.”
E-commerce leads Kenya’s gig economic system with 42% of contributors, adopted by ride-hailing (22%), freelancing (17%), microtasks (10%) and distant work (9%).
In response to the report, 98% of contributors say their way of life has improved whereas 54% report a big enchancment.
Dimmy Kanyankole, Senior Normal Supervisor, East Africa mentioned, “As digital platforms proceed to evolve, ride-hailing is more and more turning into an necessary supply of revenue and financial empowerment for a lot of Kenyans. These findings reinforce the function that platform-based work performs in enabling folks to earn flexibly whereas supporting their livelihoods.”
“With 53% counting on it as a main supply of revenue, it reveals dedication to the sector,” one panelist famous, including that the main focus ought to now shift towards strengthening, relatively than stifling, the ecosystem via coverage.
Bolt emphasised the necessity for a balanced regulatory method and warned towards insurance policies that would inadvertently stifle development.
“Coverage has to advertise and reinforce the platforms which can be creating this worth,” an organization consultant mentioned. Advocating for a holistic framework that considers the total ecosystem relatively than specializing in single points like pricing or commissions.
The report additionally highlights an enormous gender imbalance throughout the gig economic system. The ride-hailing area, for instance, has as much as 97% of contributors being male and solely 3% as feminine.
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