Glovo Expands Operations to Kampala, Uganda

Glovo Expands Operations to Kampala, Uganda

Delivery app Glovo has launched its operations in Kampala, Uganda, in a move that is part of a continued market expansion strategy. 

Speaking during the launch, William Benthall, Glovo’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed his optimism towards the new venture, “We are extremely excited about our launch in Uganda, and we think that residents of Kampala should be feeling the same way!”

The expansion into Uganda will make it the 2nd market in East Africa for the company, and the 4th African country where the firm has established operations. The company entered the African market in 2018, via Morocco, and once in the Kenya market, Glovo, initially based its operations at Nairobi Garage // Westlands.

How Glovo Works

Glovo is a multi-category on-demand platform that allows users to order anything with a simple tap on their smartphone. Customers use the platform to request a rider to send or collect packages, and they can track their rider at all times. Packages should ideally be delivered in under 45 minutes and if it arrives in over 60 minutes the delivery is free.

“An interesting opportunity to introduce a fresh new service with low prices and amazing user experience.” William Benthall.

The platform is entirely focused on helping busy city residents meet their delivery needs around the world. Glovo users can order anything that can be safely carried on a motorbike, delivered by a specialist rider, called a Glover. 

“Hundreds of thousands of people in cities across Africa are already used to integrating Glovo into their daily lives to help them to save time and money. We are optimistic that our solution will be a welcome addition to customers, restaurants and stores in Uganda,” Benthall said.

Items delivered include groceries from establishments like Carrefour, restaurant food from partners like KFC, Java House as well as  a wide range of local food, beverages, and other products. Restaurant food is delivered in a triple layer multi-compartment thermally insulated bag that has been extensively tested to ensure hot food arrives steaming hot and even ice cream arrives cold, even in the same delivery.

“Uganda is a uniquely interesting market for Glovo. Residents of Kampala are used to using bodaboda to move around and order food and other products. In addition to this informal market, there is also a large segment of the population using apps to move around or order goods for delivery. This provides an interesting opportunity to introduce a fresh new service with low prices and amazing user experience.” Benthall added.

The Launch of Q-Commerce

Late last week, Glovo announced the launch of Q-Commerce, a new business unit setup with the aim to accelerate development as a B2B service. It will see it offer to stock third parties’ products in its warehouses and have the couriers that operate on its on-demand platform make deliveries for other businesses too — offering what it bills as a “turn-key” logistics solution for businesses of all sizes to underpin their own online stories. 

The Spanish company launched in 2015, is already working with retail brands like Unilever, Nestle and L’Oréal and supermarkets chains like Carrefour to stock and sell their goods from its network of so-called “dark stores” currently located in Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon and Milan.

In late 2019, Glovo announced €150million ($167 million) in Series E funding. Following the close of the investment round the company secured its status as a unicorn, making it the second privately held business in Spain to surpass a $1billion valuation.