Tunisia might be shutting down Bolt, Heetch, others to make way for a govt-owned app

Tunisia might be shutting down Bolt and other taxi-hailing apps like Heetch to pave the way for the seamless introduction of a government-backed e-hailing app. This was disclosed to Technext by sources conversant with the ongoing infraction between the country’s interior ministry and several ride-hailing companies.

Recall that we reported that taxi-hailing companies in Tunisia are being targeted by a government-backed corruption investigation. The investigations would eventually culminate in the suspension of several ride-hailing companies by the country’s interior ministry.

According to the statement, the ministry attributed its decision to suspicious activities, including money laundering and tax evasion.

“The financial division of the National Guard has uncovered suspicions of money laundering and tax evasion among operators of private taxi ride-hailing apps,” the interior ministry’s statement reads.

The apps were accused of illegally repatriating funds abroad using dubious bank accounts. The government also accused them of operating without proper licenses and employing with fraudulent authorisations. As part of the investigations, the suspicious companies have been removed from the country’s commercial registry, and their offices were shut down nationwide.

Read more here: Tunisia suspends major ride-hailing companies over alleged money laundering and tax evasion

However, a source familiar with the matter told Technext that the current suspension and shutting down of their offices is simply a ploy to get foreign-owned companies out of the way for the government-backed operator.

“The Tunisian government is preparing to launch its state-backed ride-hailing platform. In that context, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in regulatory pressure on foreign operators, particularly on Bolt, over the past few months. This latest move appears to be a continuation of that strategy, likely aimed at clearing the field for their local alternative,” the source disclosed to Technext.

Bolt, the largest ride-hailing company in the country, was one of the affected companies, Technext can authoritatively confirm.

Indeed, an AFP source noted that Bolt was the leading suspect and main company under government scrutiny. Other foreign taxi-hailing companies operating in Tunisia include the Algerian-owned Yassir and the French-owned Heetch.

Tunisia’s plan to launch a government-backed app

In January 2025, the Tunisian Transport Minister, Rachid Amri, announced the proposed launch of a ride-hailing app.

Dubbed a ‘national ride-hailing application,’ the minister said the app, which will be developed domestically, will provide high-quality, accessible, and better-regulated transportation service for citizens.

The minister also announced an improvement in fares. Unlike existing platforms like Bolt, Heetch, and even local IntiGo, which charge commissions ranging from 15 to 25 per cent, vehicles operating on the government app will be tasked with using taximeters like regular taxis.

But unlike the taxis, where the basic fare starts at 900 millims, fares on the proposed app will start at 1 dinar and 350 millims. While this is not up to the 2 dinars drivers have been agitating for to cover the fixed costs of their operations, it is an improvement.

The government said this was to avoid excessive charges that would burden citizens.

The new platform is set to be operational by the end of June 2025 and also aims to highlight local technological expertise while creating a fair framework for drivers and a more accessible system for users.

This development is coming at a time when Tunisia is grappling with a rapidly deteriorating public transport infrastructure. The inadequacies of these infrastructures led citizens to trust private taxi-hailing companies to fulfil their mobility needs. Indeed, a survey report revealed that over 85 per cent of Tunisians see ride-hailing as a good addition to public transport, and over 54 per cent of the population use ride-hailing services weekly.

Faced with a collapsing public transport infrastructure, it is probably not wise for the Tunisian government to scrap transportation services that have come to be relied on by 54 per cent of its population.

Some of these companies have also invested millions into the Tunisian economy, with Bolt reportedly ploughing over €10 million into directly supporting local infrastructure, urban mobility, and earning opportunities for drivers.

Our inside source explained that it was a hurriedly assembled policy that lacked legality. This is buttressed by the assertion that the actions have been taken without the involvement of an investigating judge.

“The Tunisian government’s allegations are completely unfounded. All local authority actions have been taken without the involvement of an investigating judge. The companies have not been allowed the opportunity to contest the authorities’ allegations, which has prevented them from defending their rights,” they said.

The source also expressed worries that the measures could create a worrying precedent and may affect all market participants.