Glovo champions the future of digital commerce in Kenya. October 28, 2026 2 mins read Glovo, a leading multi-category technology platform, hosted its inaugural Future of Commerce Summit in Kenya, bringing together business leaders, retailers, brands and industry partners to explore how changing consumer habits and technological tools, including generative AI, are reshaping the country's commerce landscape. Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, the Summit provided a platform to discuss the next phase of Kenya's digital economy, exploring the rise of quick commerce and how digital marketplaces help businesses expand beyond traditional retail. The discussions come at a time when Kenya's retail landscape is undergoing a significant shift. Consumers are increasingly looking for convenience, speed and greater choice, while businesses are exploring new ways to reach customers without necessarily expanding their physical footprint. During the Summit, Glovo highlighted its existing in-app AI assistant as a practical example of this evolution. By integrating leading language models like ChatGPT and Claude to work with the platform, the feature illustrates the shift toward conversational shopping. Instead of scrolling through traditional menus, users can simply type what they need in natural language, demonstrating how digital platforms are adapting to meet the demand for ultimate convenience. Speaking during the Summit, Caroline Mutuku, Country Managing Director, Kenya, Glovo, said the future of commerce will increasingly depend on how businesses adapt to these evolving demands. "The way Kenyans shop is changing, and businesses must adapt to these new consumer expectations," said Mutuku. "Today, a customer wants convenience, choice, and the ability to access everyday products seamlessly without necessarily visiting a physical store. The future of commerce relies on unlocking these new opportunities and reshaping how we connect customers with our retail partners." The company's growth reflects this changing consumer behaviour. In 2025, Glovo recorded a 40% year-on-year increase in orders in Kenya, pointing to growing demand for on-demand services and the increasing integration of digital platforms into everyday shopping. A reflection of this shift is Glovo's growing partnership with oraimo. With the platform's intelligent search capabilities, non-food brands like oraimo are seeing stronger visibility, demonstrating how on-demand commerce opens new opportunities beyond food. "Our partnership with Glovo represents a critical shift in how consumer electronics are accessed in Kenya," said Saixu Fan, Regional Manager at oraimo. "As customers increasingly prioritize speed and convenience, being available on a platform that uses intuitive technology ensures our smart accessories are always within reach. It is no longer just about traditional retail; it is about meeting the modern consumer exactly where they are in the digital space, on demand." The Kenya edition builds on Glovo's wider efforts to drive conversations around digital commerce across Africa, following the second edition of its Future of Commerce Summit held in Lagos, Nigeria, in April this year. This regional momentum aligns with Glovo's continued push to strengthen its local presence. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to invest an additional KSh 10 billion in Kenya by 2030, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the country's digital economy, local businesses and technology ecosystem. The investment is expected to support the company's continued growth, including expansion into more towns and cities beyond Nairobi, as demand for digital commerce services increases across the country. Beyond geographic expansion, the Summit explored the role of collaboration in shaping the next chapter of commerce. Through fireside chats and panel discussions, participating businesses and industry stakeholders exchanged perspectives on emerging consumer trends, technology adoption, retail innovation and the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in an increasingly digital marketplace. Glovo currently operates in 12 towns and cities in Kenya, supporting over 6,000 merchants and more than 2,200 active riders daily. Since entering the market in 2019, businesses on the platform have generated more than KSh 20 billion in sales, with approximately 80% of this value flowing to small and medium-sized businesses. Featured. Tweets by business Watch. Business Watch directory. About. Business Watch is an online business portal that is set to marry both the traditional media and the digital media and bring them under one umbrella. Ad. Its detailed reports. * [download id="20060"] Cloud tags.

Glovo eyes expansion beyond Nairobi with KSh 10 billion investment as online orders surge 40%. Reading Time: 3 mins read Glovo is banking on artificial intelligence, growing demand for convenience and partnerships with local businesses to drive the next phase of digital commerce in Kenya. Glovo is looking to expand its operations into more towns and cities across Kenya as part of a planned KSh 10 billion investment by 2030, following a 40 per cent increase in orders on its platform in 2025. The company says the growing demand for faster deliveries, convenience and access to a wider range of products is creating new opportunities for businesses to reach customers beyond traditional physical stores. Find Suppliers Speaking during Glovo's inaugural Future of Commerce Summit held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi on Friday, October 23, 2026, the company's Kenya Managing Director, Caroline Mutuku, said changing consumer expectations are pushing businesses to rethink how they sell and deliver products. "The way Kenyans shop is changing, and businesses must adapt to these new consumer expectations," said Mutuku. "Today, a customer wants convenience, choice, and the ability to access everyday products seamlessly without necessarily visiting a physical store. The future of commerce relies on unlocking these new opportunities and reshaping how we connect customers with our retail partners." Read Economics The summit brought together business leaders, retailers, brands and industry stakeholders to discuss emerging trends in digital commerce, the growing popularity of on-demand shopping and the role of technology in transforming Kenya's retail sector. One of the key areas of discussion was the use of artificial intelligence to make online shopping easier and more personalised. Glovo showcased its existing in-app AI assistant, which integrates language models such as ChatGPT and Claude to allow customers to search for products using everyday language instead of scrolling through conventional menus. The technology represents a shift towards conversational shopping, where customers can describe what they need and interact with digital platforms more naturally. For retailers, such innovations could provide additional ways to connect with customers while reducing their dependence on physical store expansion. The company is also expanding its offering beyond food delivery to include everyday consumer products, electronics and other retail categories. Among the brands tapping into this opportunity is consumer electronics company oraimo, which has partnered with Glovo to make its products more accessible through the delivery platform. Order Meals Fast "Our partnership with Glovo represents a critical shift in how consumer electronics are accessed in Kenya," said Saixu Fan, Regional Manager at oraimo. "As customers increasingly prioritize speed and convenience, being available on a platform that uses intuitive technology ensures our smart accessories are always within reach." According to Fan, the partnership reflects a broader change in retail, where businesses increasingly need to meet consumers through digital channels rather than relying exclusively on traditional outlets. Glovo's expansion plans come as the company seeks to strengthen its position in Kenya's growing digital economy. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to invest an additional KSh 10 billion in the Kenyan market by 2030, with part of the investment expected to support expansion beyond Nairobi. Glovo currently operates in 12 towns and cities across Kenya, connecting customers with more than 6,000 merchants and supporting over 2,200 active riders daily. Order Meals Fast Since entering the Kenyan market in 2019, businesses operating through the platform have generated more than KSh 20 billion in sales, according to the company. Approximately 80 per cent of that value has gone to small and medium-sized businesses, highlighting the role digital marketplaces can play in connecting smaller enterprises with customers. The Nairobi summit follows the second edition of Glovo's Future of Commerce Summit held in Lagos, Nigeria, in April 2026, as the company continues to engage businesses across Africa on the changing retail landscape. Discussions at the Kenya event also focused on how businesses can adopt emerging technologies, respond to changing consumer habits and take advantage of opportunities in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Glovo and Verve partner to deliver greater value to nigerian customers. October 20, 2026 Glovo, a leading multi-category technology company, has announced a strategic partnership with Verve International, a subsidiary of Interswitch Group and Africa's leading domestic payment cards and digital tokens brand, to deliver greater value, convenience, and savings to customers across Nigeria. The dynamic collaboration combines Glovo's multi-category platform with Verve's secure, convenient, and accessible digital payment solutions to make everyday purchases more rewarding for customers and to support the adoption of digital payments. Under the partnership, new and existing Glovo customers can enjoy a 15 per cent discount on eligible orders paid with any valid Verve card under the Verve Goodlife Promo, for a limited time starting August 17. The offer provides customers with an opportunity to save on everyday purchases across Glovo's platform while enjoying the convenience of paying with their Verve cards. According to Reni Onafeko, Country Managing Director, Glovo Nigeria, the partnership reflects Glovo's focus on delivering greater value across the entire customer experience. "At Glovo, we are constantly looking for ways to improve the everyday experience for our customers, and our partnership with Verve allows us to do just that, thereby making it easier for Nigerians to embrace seamless cashless payments as they order the products and services they need," she said. Beyond the immediate 15% savings, the partnership is already delivering massive value through the broader Verve Goodlife Promotion. The campaign recently celebrated its first wave of top 10 transacting Glovo customers, with one high-frequency user walking away with a grand prize of 1 million naira at yesterday's award ceremony. As the promotion continues, users who frequently transact on the Glovo app using their Verve cards remain eligible to win further high-value prizes and lifestyle experiences. Also speaking, Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Corporate Communications, Interswitch, said the partnership reinforces Verve's commitment to creating greater value for cardholders through everyday payment experiences that go beyond the transaction itself. "Partnerships such as this demonstrate the value that can be created when strong consumer-focused brands come together. Through our collaboration with Glovo, Verve cardholders can enjoy greater value from everyday transactions while accessing the convenience of a platform that serves a wide range of their daily needs. The Verve Goodlife National Consumer Promo is designed to make payments more rewarding, and we are pleased to extend the benefits through our partnership with Glovo," she said. The partnership reflects a shared commitment by Glovo and Verve to making everyday transactions more convenient, accessible, and rewarding for consumers across Nigeria.