
A digital conflict has emerged between Nigerian and South African users on ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt. Reports indicate that both groups have begun canceling rides intentionally after drivers have arrived at pickup locations, leading to wasted resources and financial losses.
The situation appears to have started in South Africa, where some users placed fake ride orders targeting Nigerian drivers. A trending video on X (formerly Twitter) features a South African man, alongside others, mocking a Nigerian driver, Kotoro-Ola, after cancelling a ride he had ordered with him. This incident has sparked outrage, especially in light of Nigeria’s current economic challenges, including a severe fuel shortage, which further exacerbates the financial strain on drivers.
Screenshots circulating online show some South Africans ridiculing Nigerian victims, with references made to a recent incident involving Chidimma Adetshina, a Nigerian-born South African who withdrew from the Miss Universe South Africa pageant following xenophobic attacks.
In retaliation, some Nigerians have adopted similar tactics, engaging South African drivers in conversations and directing them to hard-to-find locations.
South Africans, it is Bolt for Bolt.. We mount ? pic.twitter.com/H4hUWspL9e
— Still On Still (@manlikesos14) August 22, 2024
This Nigerian ordered for bolt in South Africa from Nigeria.
— BASITO (@itzbasito) August 22, 2024
The South African rider wanted to cry ?
pic.twitter.com/CgIidMvGdg

This behavior has raised concerns about the safety and effectiveness of ride-hailing platforms. An X user suggested that Bolt should restrict bookings to the country where the user is currently located to prevent such fraudulent activities.