Summary:

On 24 March 2025, multiple Tunisian media outlets reported that certain ride-hailing services, likely including Bolt, are being shut down and will leave the Tunisian market. 

Media outlets quoted the National Guard, indicating that multiple ride-hailing services were under investigation for money laundering, tax evasion, and operating without the correct licenses and permits. 

The National Guard statements indicated that approximately 12 million dinars were seized from bank accounts belonging to ride-hailing companies and that the firms were being de-listed from the national registry of companies (RNE). 

Increasing usage of the Bolt application has drawn criticism previously, primarily from citizens frustrated with high prices and perceptions that too many taxis had become dedicated to ride-hailing, limiting the supply of regularly priced taxis available. 

Outlook: 

The legal actions against Bolt and others will likely lead to a disruption in service for the foreseeable future. There were no statements immediately available from Bolt or others indicating plans for their services in the near future. 

While the loss of ride-hailing services will be a frustration to many users, many others praised the move by the government in light of the relatively high prices on the applications compared to regular taxis.  

The serious legal accusations against Bolt, an Estonian firm, risk serving as a warning to other firms attempting to disrupt various sectors in Tunisia. Such actions could discourage other multinational service providers from exploring Tunisia as a destination for future investments. 

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