Glovo has launched the Glovo Academy in Abuja to strengthen the capacity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and deepen its investment in Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking at the unveiling, Head of Commercial, Glovo Nigeria, Kolawole Adeniyi, said the company had already invested €206 million across six African countries, including Nigeria.
He noted that over 90 per cent of Glovo’s 40,000 business partners in Africa are small enterprises, with Nigeria recording about 95 per cent participation.
Adeniyi added that since entering the Nigerian market in 2021, Glovo had delivered about N55 billion in value to its partners, benefiting more than 5,000 businesses and 12,000 riders. He said the company’s approach differs from many global firms, as it reinvests significantly into Africa.
In Abuja, Head of Growth and Head of Abuja Business, Glovo Nigeria, Reni Onafeko, disclosed that the company had processed two million orders, with over 1,000 partners and 2,000 riders benefiting in the city alone.
She said the academy would build skills and create sustainable growth for small businesses that form the backbone of Glovo’s ecosystem.
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Government representatives present at the launch emphasized the importance of SMEs in national development.
Senior Special Adviser on Strategic Communications to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ifeoma Williams, described SMEs as the “backbone” of the economy, contributing 40 per cent to GDP and creating more than 80 per cent of jobs.
Williams added that digital commerce, agribusiness, the creative industries, and renewable energy would be critical growth sectors in the next decade.
She noted that the government’s new industrial policy and financing schemes, such as the N75 billion MSME facility, are designed to support entrepreneurs.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) also confirmed efforts to ease business registration, improve access to finance, and develop training curricula to address knowledge gaps.
From the private sector, Ahmed Shawarma founder, Tijjani Mustapha, shared the challenges of managing small businesses, highlighting staffing and operational costs.
He stressed that technology and digital platforms like Glovo remain vital for growth and resilience.
The launch concluded with a call for sustained investment, effective policies, and digital adoption to strengthen Nigeria’s 39 million SMEs and drive inclusive economic growth.
