Glovo celebrates 5 years, commits sh33b to power Uganda's economy

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The Country Manager, Glovo Uganda, Ivy Maingi, has disclosed her company will in the next 5 years invest over sh33b as they expand beyond Kampala and create impact and sustainability.

She notes that E-commerce in Uganda is finally on a positive trajectory as more citizens appreciate the convenience that comes with ordering online and having deliveries made in real time.

Maingi made the remarks this week as Glovo Uganda celebrated 5 years of operation, connecting customers, businesses, and riders with over 6,000 jobs created directly and indirectly.

“Uganda has been a remarkable growth story for Glovo. We are proud to celebrate five years of enabling digital commerce, creating thousands of income opportunities, and building the greenest delivery operation in our global network. The opening of our new Kampala office marks the start of our next growth chapter, one focused on scale, digital tools for partners, and expanded EV adoption, “Ivy Maingi, Country Manager, Glovo Uganda, said.

Since its launch in Uganda in 2020, Glovo has invested sh33b in the country, creating 6,000 jobs in the industry, combining direct office staff and indirect jobs in partner stores, restaurants, and riders.

In addition to collaborating with over 3,000 shops and restaurants over the years, 95% of them being small and medium-sized enterprises from Uganda.

Glovo has also enabled partners to digitise and grow their businesses online, generating over sh143b in direct economic value for them since 2020.

The platform economy is a powerful engine for income generation and empowerment, with over 3,000 riders connecting with Glovo in the past five years to leverage the freedom and flexibility of digital entrepreneurship while delivering orders at their convenience.

Maingi is, however, concerned by the high cost of internet and poor infrastructure, which in most cases slows the delivery processes as riders have to navigate through impassable roads to meet clients.

“Truth is, the internet costs have been dropping, but we still feel they are high, and the government must intervene. Most of our riders are struggling to drop deliveries due to poor roads, but we are hopeful that with the current ongoing works, things will improve.”

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Cosmas Mwikirize, Superintendent Industrial Value Chains Development, commended Glovo for swiftly navigating the market for the last 5 years.

“Glovo’s work in Uganda over the past five years shows how the platform economy can drive innovation, create jobs, and support our transition to greener transport solutions. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure more Ugandans benefit from digital opportunities while contributing to sustainable economic growth,” said

Uganda is Glovo’s greenest market worldwide

In 2024, 37% of all orders were delivered using non-combustion or electric vehicles, the highest share in the company’s global network.

Currently, 39% of riders partnering with Glovo use electric vehicles, with plans to increase this to 70% through subsidies for electric motorbikes offered in partnership with Zembo, a Ugandan electric mobility company.

Electric motorbikes emit 21% less CO₂ than petrol vehicles and can reduce fuel costs by 58%, saving riders an average of sh84,500 per month.

Local impact and future outlook

Between 2020 and 2024, Glovo generated more than €1bn in direct economic value for 45,000 businesses across six African countries, 90% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises.

Africa accounts for 25% of Glovo’s global footprint. In Uganda, Glovo currently operates in three cities, Kampala, Mukono, and Entebbe, partnering with 900 stores and restaurants and engaging 1,000 riders.

 The business is expected to double its size in the next two years, driving not only digital inclusion and local economic growth, but also digital payments, contributing to a cashless economy.