Global delivery giant Glovo has marked its fifth anniversary in Uganda with a bold expansion drive, unveiling a new Kampala office and announcing a Shs 33 billion investment that is reshaping the country’s e-commerce and digital economy.
Since its launch in Uganda in 2020, the Spain-based multi-category delivery platform has transformed from a small-scale service into one of the most influential players in the platform economy. The company’s investments have created more than 6,000 jobs, directly through its offices and indirectly via a growing network of partner restaurants, shops, and riders.
According to Glovo, more than 3,000 local businesses, most of them small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have joined its platform over the past five years. These partnerships have generated Shs 143 billion in direct economic value, providing SMEs with digital tools to reach customers far beyond their physical shops.
“Uganda has been a remarkable growth story for Glovo,” noted Ivy Maingi, Glovo Uganda’s country manager. “The opening of our new Kampala office marks the start of our next growth chapter, focused on scaling, equipping partners with digital tools, and expanding electric vehicle adoption.”
Uganda now stands out as Glovo’s most environmentally progressive market worldwide. Nearly 40% of orders in 2024 were fulfilled using electric or non-combustion vehicles, surpassing other Glovo markets globally. Currently, 39% of riders are using electric motorbikes, a figure expected to rise to 70% through subsidies offered in partnership with local electric mobility provider Zembo.
The shift is not only greener but also more cost-effective. Electric motorbikes cut fuel expenses by up to 58%, saving riders about Shs 84,500 each month, while reducing carbon emissions by 21% compared to petrol-powered bikes.
Government officials have applauded this transition. Cosmas Mwikirize, superintendent of Industrial Value Chains Development at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, described Glovo as a key partner in Uganda’s journey toward digital and green growth.
“Glovo’s work in Uganda shows how the platform economy can drive innovation, create jobs, and support greener transport solutions,” Mwikirize said. “We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure more Ugandans benefit from digital opportunities while contributing to sustainable growth.”
Glovo’s expansion dovetails with Uganda’s ambitions to promote digital inclusion, cashless transactions, and value addition in service and manufacturing-linked sectors. By digitizing ordering, payments, and delivery logistics, the company is helping formalize informal businesses while making urban supply chains more efficient.
Currently, Glovo operates in Kampala, Mukono, and Entebbe, with a network of 900 partner stores and restaurants and 1,000 active riders. The company plans to double its Ugandan operations within the next two years, banking on smartphone penetration, rising consumer demand for convenience, and widespread adoption of electric mobility.
Its new Kampala headquarters, located at AHA Towers on Lourdel Road, will serve as a central hub for partner support, rider engagement, recruitment, and the rollout of new digital solutions.
Across the continent, Glovo has generated over €1 billion in direct economic value between 2020 and 2024, supporting 45,000 businesses in six African countries, 90% of them SMEs. Africa now accounts for a quarter of Glovo’s global operations, with Uganda positioned as a critical testing ground for its green transport and digital inclusion strategies.
By blending technology, investment, and sustainability, Glovo is no longer just a delivery service but a key player shaping the future of urban commerce and green mobility in Uganda.