Glovo, the global on-demand delivery platform that entered Nigeria in 2021, said the country became its fastest-growing market in 2025.
At the Future of Commerce 2026 summit in Lagos, the company disclosed it invested over ₦37 billion ($27 million) in Nigeria. It delivered 38 million items in the past year, nearly doubling the value generated for businesses on its platform.
The growth validates a strategy Glovo has pursued since its launch in Nigeria. The company sees the country as a long-term anchor market and is investing more in local operations.
“At Glovo, we focus on empowering SMBs with tools, technology, and access to grow and compete in a fast-changing digital economy,” said Reni Onafeko, Glovo Nigeria’s general manager.
“By fostering collaboration across public and private sectors, we create opportunities that drive sustainable growth and long-term impact.”
Nigeria now sits at the centre of Glovo’s African strategy. The company operates in Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Uganda, and Côte d’Ivoire. Since entering Africa in 2018, Glovo has invested over €250 million ($292 million). Africa accounts for 25% of its global business. Nigeria’s online food delivery market surpassed $1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2034. Competition has intensified with local players like Chowdeck and HeyFood, alongside global platforms. Together, they are turning Nigeria into one of Africa’s most active on-demand economies.
Nigeria’s 200 million population, 55.8% urban density, and 45.4% online penetration make it capable of supporting on-demand commerce at scale. Being Glovo’s fastest-growing market shows these factors are translating into sustained demand.
“Nigeria is a very exciting market,” said Dima Rasnovsky, Regional General Manager at Glovo Africa.
“Nigeria has two things: population and momentum. The trends are strong. It feels like a wave, and if Glovo is part of it, that’s exciting. The market is moving forward, and it’s great to be part of the journey.”
At the product level, Glovo is driving growth through incremental improvements in technology and service. Onafeko noted that product and technology changes accounted for 35% of merchant sales growth last year, showing how user experience tweaks shape demand.
In March 2026, the company introduced a road safety feature for riders in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The tool provides real-time feedback on speeding and braking. Since launch, 60% of riders have adopted it. Glovo says the feature improves efficiency and safety across its network.
At the summit, Glovo also announced plans to expand into more Nigerian locations in 2026. It will target underserved areas beyond the four cities it currently serves. Onafeko said the expansion responds to demand from businesses and customers.
The company will also double down on multi-category commerce, moving beyond food into groceries and retail. Other platforms are racing to become full-service marketplaces. In December 2025, Chowdeck partnered with GoLemon, a Nigerian grocery delivery startup, to supply groceries to its dark stores and offer same-day delivery through its app.
“You can’t build the largest marketplace without tapping into everything else,” Onafeko added. “Glovo is strongly positioned in this area, but we intend to double down and remain deeply committed to our role in the Nigerian economy.”
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