From Parking Lot to Play Zone: Bolt Debuts Chess Park in Lagos

...Kicking Off ‘Playtivism’ Campaign

Africa’s leading ride-hailing platform, Bolt, has launched its bold new "Playtivism" campaign in Lagos, starting with an imaginative urban makeover: converting a regular parking lot at Ikeja City Mall into a lively Chess Park.

The initiative reclaims car-dominated city spaces for community-centered use, reflecting Bolt’s vision of people-first urban living. The Chess Park invites Lagosians of all ages to gather, play chess, and build meaningful connections—one move at a time.

Playtivism is Bolt’s global push to inspire healthier, more joyful cities by repurposing urban spaces for connection and play. The campaign was born out of over 81,000 ideas submitted during Bolt’s Rewind2023 initiative, where users shared creative ways to make cities more livable.

Running from April 9 to 13, the Lagos activation blends intergenerational bonding and fun with purpose. The park hosts daily "teach-and-play" sessions led by professional chess experts, alongside crowd-favorite games like Ludo. Cash prizes and open-play zones will keep the energy high. On April 11, the renowned non-profit Chess in Slums will join the activation, reinforcing the campaign’s mission to empower communities through accessible play.

This isn’t just a local experiment. Lagos follows in the footsteps of a similar activation in Lisbon, all under the growing Playtivism movement. For Bolt, it’s about reimagining mobility—not just as a way to move, but as a way to live better together.

Speaking on the initiative, Osi Oguah, General Manager for Bolt Nigeria said: “At Bolt, we believe that cities become more fun, inclusive, and healthy when we design them for people, not just for cars and through Playtivism, we’re showing that small changes like turning a parking lot into a chess park can have a big impact on how communities interact and thrive.”

“And next time you need to drive somewhere, think about riding instead. It’s better for your wallet, and better for your city. Riding is the new driving,” Osi added.

Operating in over 50 countries and 600 cities, Bolt serves more than 200 million customers with mobility services including ride-hailing, scooter and e-bike rentals, and car sharing. Over 4.5 million drivers globally power the Bolt platform.