Delivery startup Glovo expands reach in Kenya by entering two new towns

KENYA – Glovo, on-demand delivery start-up, has expanded its footprints in Kenya, launching its services in Thika and Kiambu towns.

The urban centres join the likes of Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu, Rongai, Ngong, and Kitengela where Glovo has established its services in the country. 

The expansion move is part of the start-up’s growth plan following its raising of €450 million in a Series F funding round led by New York-based investment managers Lugard Road Capital and the Luxor Capital Group, at the beginning of June 2021.

Glovo will pump the money into expanding its footprint in the 20 markets in which it currently operates.

Residents of Thika and Kiambu town can now enjoy and experience faster on-demand delivery services from different outlets within their towns.

“We are continually on-boarding more partners to serve our customers better, faster while offering the best delivery services in the country.”

Priscilla Muhiu – Glovo’s General Manager

Glovo already has partnerships with outlets such as KFC, Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, Creamy Inn, and Naivas in Thika, and Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, and Creamy Inn in Kiambu.

Spanish delivery firm plans to onboard additional niche outlets in those two towns to cater to its diverse range of customers.

Priscilla Muhiu, Glovo’s General Manager for Kenya said, “Our expansion to Thika and Kiambu towns is part of Glovo’s strategic expansion in Kenya, we are excited to tap into the potential of those two towns.

“We are continually on-boarding more partners to serve our customers better, faster while offering the best delivery services in the country.”

The firm, recently launched its first African micro fulfilment centre in the country’s capital, Nairobi, expanding its ‘Q-commerce’ division -next generation e-commerce.

The new Glovo Market, is an extension of its Q-Commerce that consumers use to order from retail and neighbourhood stores and have the supplies delivered at their preferred location.

With the new offering, individuals and small businesses with or without a brick-and-mortar footprint can sell the products on Glovo’s platform which will be fulfilled through its warehousing and logistics services.

Glovo Market will be accessible through Glovo’s app or website and closed to walk in customers.

In other related news, the government of Rwanda has banned meal delivery services offered by restaurants in districts placed under lockdown as it intensifies efforts to control the spread of Covid-19, which has been accelerating since last month.

According to reports by New Times Rwanda, from July 17, Kigali city and eight other districts including Nyagatare, Rubavu, Rwamagana, Rustiro, Burera, Gicumbi, Kamonyi and Musanze have been placed under lockdown.

The directive was issued by the Rwanda Development Board for safety purposes, which will have a ripple effect on eCommerce firms that are engaged in food delivery services in the affected regions.

However, delivery of groceries and other essential products will continue to operate, RDB indicated in a tweet.