In an unexpected twist of fate, the rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa has found a new battleground: the ride-hailing application Bolt. This digital fight, triggered by a South African influencer, has revealed a critical weakness in these platforms, allowing users to place overseas orders.
The conflict began when a South African influencer highlighted the possibility of arranging trips to Nigeria from South Africa via the Bolt app. This discovery rapidly sparked a wave of retaliatory pranks involving people from both nations. South African consumers began scheduling trips in Nigeria and canceling them after the drivers arrived, generating annoyance and financial losses for Nigerian drivers.
On social media site X (previously Twitter), screenshots and videos of South Africans making fun of Nigerian drivers who fell for the scam went viral. Reactions range from laughter to worry about the economic damage inflicted.
Nigerians ordered over 40 Bolt to thesame street in Johannesburg and the drivers met themselves 😂
— MBAH (@Mbahdeyforyou) August 22, 2024
As a result, Nigerian users began playing similar pranks on South African drivers, scheduling and canceling rides to inflict trouble.
South Africans started what they can’t finish. Nigerians are now broadcasting this on WhatsApp. OTILO pic.twitter.com/FDwzZZkcFV
— ZEEZ 🌚 (@Swaggzeez1) August 22, 2024
I sincerely think it’s time Nigerians teach these South Africans a good lesson. Their deep hatred/ wickedness towards Nigerians is sickening. I can’t comprehend it. The hate campaign on Chidimma is still fresh. How about xenophobic attacks on us? Now it’s bolt war. Una go learn!
— Ekonyohe 🇳🇬 (@Benue_Parrot) August 22, 2024
The controversy did not end with ride-hailing services; Nigerians also began purchasing food and gadgets from South African businesses with the “pay on delivery” option, leaving delivery people stuck with unpaid items.
Economic and Social Impact
This digital battle has had a tremendous economic impact. These pranks have caused financial losses for gig economy workers, notably drivers and delivery staff in both nations. The time lost on false orders might have been spent on legitimate consumers, reducing their revenue.
Bolt has taken steps to block users engaging in these behaviors and has restricted inter-country ride requests. However, the broader impact on other delivery services remains to be seen.
This digital competition has taken center stage on social media, with users from both countries rallying in favor. This incident highlights a larger problem of competitiveness and patriotic pride that is fueled by historical conflicts and current sociopolitical events.
While initially perceived as a harmless prank, the ongoing fight highlights how readily digital platforms can be controlled, harming actual livelihoods. The Bolt conflict between Nigeria and South Africa is a cautionary story about the unforeseen repercussions of digital pranks as well as the significance of ethical technology use.
