Glovo, the Spain-headquartered multi-category delivery platform, has celebrated its fifth anniversary in Uganda with the opening of a new office in Kampala, marking a Shs 33 billion investment that is reshaping the country’s e-commerce space. The company, which began operations in Uganda in 2020, has grown from a small delivery service into one of the biggest players in the digital economy, creating thousands of jobs and helping businesses go online.
According to Glovo executives, the investment has generated more than 6,000 jobs across the value chain in the last five years. These include direct staff employed at the new Kampala office and indirect opportunities through its partner restaurants, shops, and delivery riders. Over 3,000 local businesses—95% of them small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—are now active on the Glovo platform, using digital tools to expand their reach and increase sales.
Company data shows that these partnerships have created over Shs 143 billion in direct economic value since launch, showing how technology-driven platforms can support SMEs in a competitive retail environment. Ivy Maingi, Glovo’s country manager for Uganda, said the company is now focusing on expanding its reach and improving services. “Uganda has been a remarkable growth story for Glovo. 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 electric vehicle adoption,” Maingi said.
One of the most notable achievements is Uganda’s position as Glovo’s greenest market in the world. In 2024, about 37% of all Glovo deliveries in Uganda were completed using electric or non-combustion vehicles, more than any other Glovo market. At the moment, 39% of riders use electric motorbikes, and the company plans to increase this to 70% through subsidies in partnership with Zembo, a local electric mobility firm. Studies show that electric motorbikes emit 21% less carbon dioxide compared to petrol-powered motorbikes and cut fuel costs by as much as 58%, saving riders an average of Shs 84,500 every month.
Government officials have welcomed Glovo’s impact. Cosmas Mwikirize, Superintendent of Industrial Value Chains Development at the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, praised the company’s contribution to digital growth and green transport. “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,” he said.
Glovo’s presence also ties into Uganda’s wider national plans for digital inclusion, cashless payments, and sustainable urban development. By digitising payments, orders, and logistics, the platform is formalising small businesses, improving transparency, and introducing efficiency in supply chains. The new office, located at AHA Towers on Lourdel Road, Kampala, will serve as a hub for partner support, rider engagement, recruitment, and the rollout of digital tools for merchants. Management believes the central office will strengthen its operational strategies and help maintain its leadership in the market.
Currently, Glovo operates in Kampala, Mukono, and Entebbe, with 900 partner restaurants and shops and 1,000 active riders. The company plans to double its business in Uganda within the next two years, supported by growing smartphone use, increased demand for convenience services, and faster adoption of electric vehicles.
Glovo’s investment in Uganda is also part of a bigger story across Africa. Between 2020 and 2024, the company generated over €1 billion in direct economic value for 45,000 businesses across six African countries, 90% of them SMEs. Africa now makes up about a quarter of Glovo’s global operations, with Uganda playing a central role in its green mobility initiatives.
Industry analysts say Glovo is no longer just a delivery service but an ecosystem shaping the future of e-commerce, green mobility, and SME competitiveness. By combining capital, technology, and sustainability, the company is influencing urban commerce in Uganda and beyond.
