Glovo, one of the leading tech platforms operating across Europe, Africa, and Central Asia, has reiterated its dedication to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria by providing training, digital tools, and access to opportunities designed to optimise business operations, enhance brand visibility, and boost online sales through its platform.
The company’s commitment was underscored at the latest edition of Glovo Academy in Abuja, an in-person learning and development initiative aimed at equipping local businesses with skills and tools to expand their operations and scale sustainably.
Reni Onafeko, Head of Growth at Glovo Nigeria, emphasised the company’s ongoing support for SMEs by offering advisory services and financial access. She revealed that since Glovo launched in Abuja in 2022, the platform has delivered over one million orders, creating more than N11 billion in value for its partners.
Onafeko further noted a 30% year-on-year increase in orders within Abuja and said Glovo now partners with over 1,000 local restaurants.
She stressed the importance of digital literacy, saying SMEs must embrace it “to enable their businesses to expand, formalise and scale sustainably.”
Speaking at a panel discussion, Ifeoma Williams, Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Industry, described MSMEs as the “backbone of any economy,” pointing out that “current data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveal that 40% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product is derived from these small businesses.”
While acknowledging the challenges SMEs face in accessing government loans, she attributed this to a “lack of proper structure and the right business plan.” Williams assured that the federal government is actively working to develop policies that will foster a more supportive business environment.
Tijani Mustapha, founder of Ahmad’s Sharwarma, spoke on operational challenges confronting SMEs, stressing that business owners need resilience to navigate issues with human resources and quality control.
He stressed the importance of technology, stating, “Any business we do today must embrace technology. Through technology, we can gather customer feedback, keep the business in check, and improve.”
Kayode Meyanbe, Head of ICT at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), outlined government initiatives aimed at supporting SMEs.
He revealed that SMEDAN, in partnership with the Corporate Affairs Commission, is offering free registration to 250,000 businesses and urged SMEs to seize this chance to formalise their operations. Meyanbe added, “As an agency, we have partnered with banks to provide loans at an interest rate below 10% to support their businesses. Not only that, state governments have also been helping us with funds for these SMEs to access our loan facilities.”
He also mentioned that capacity-building training is being provided through Kaduna Business School and Lagos Business School to equip SMEs with essential skills.
Kolawole Adeniyi, head of commercial at Glovo Nigeria, revealed that since the company entered Africa in 2021, it has invested 206 million euros across the continent. He noted that 90% of Glovo’s business partners are SMEs and that the platform has generated N55 billion in direct economic value for these partners.
The event included presentations and training focused on operational excellence, marketing, customer complaint handling, and business and financial literacy, facilitated by the Enterprise Development Centre at Pan Atlantic University.
These efforts highlight Glovo’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable growth for SMEs within Nigeria’s digital economy.