Glovo has appointed Kolawole Kolawole as its new General Manager for Uganda, a move the on-demand delivery platform says signals deeper investment in the country’s fast-evolving digital economy.
The appointment comes at a time when competition in Uganda’s quick commerce and on-demand delivery space is intensifying, with firms seeking to expand their footprint by onboarding more merchants and improving service delivery. Glovo says the new leadership will focus on strengthening partnerships with local businesses, enhancing customer experience and accelerating innovation.
Kolawole, a trained pharmacist with First Class Honours from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, holds an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, where he specialised in entrepreneurship, strategy and marketing. He brings a blend of experience in marketing, commercial strategy and digital commerce, having previously held senior roles at Danone, Airtel and Jumia in Nigeria.
Before his appointment to Uganda, Kolawole spent three years with Glovo Nigeria, including two years leading the company’s Commerce division. During this period, he is credited with expanding commercial partnerships, strengthening merchant engagement and driving revenue growth through product and market expansion.
Speaking on his new role, Kolawole said his appointment builds on the progress made in Nigeria and presents an opportunity to replicate similar gains in Uganda’s emerging digital market.
“This appointment is a testament to the incredible work our team has done in Nigeria. Together, we built strong commercial partnerships, enhanced quality across our marketplace and achieved significant revenue growth,” he said.
“I am honoured by the trust Glovo has placed in me to replicate that success in Uganda and to work alongside a talented local team to unlock the market’s enormous potential,” he added.
As General Manager, Kolawole will be tasked with positioning Glovo Uganda as a key player in the country’s digital transformation, while also developing it into a regional talent hub for East Africa. He noted that nurturing local talent and creating economic opportunities will be central to his strategy.
“My vision is to make Glovo Uganda a talent house for East Africa by nurturing exceptional local talent, creating economic opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the region’s digital transformation,” he said.
The company’s growth strategy will also hinge on empowering small and medium enterprises, which make up about 95 percent of its merchant base. Kolawole said Glovo will continue investing in training and long-term partnerships to help businesses fully embrace digital commerce.
“We want every SME that partners with Glovo to fully embrace digital commerce. Through continuous training, education and long-term partnerships, we will equip businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace,” he said.
Uganda’s youthful population and rapid urbanisation, he added, present an opportunity for scaling digital services, despite relatively low levels of digital penetration compared to more mature markets.
“Uganda has tremendous potential. By providing the right customer experience on the everyday app, we can accelerate the growth of the digital economy and create value for businesses, customers and riders alike,” he said.
Glovo says improving customer experience will remain a key priority, with plans to invest further in technology, operational efficiency and service quality. The company will also expand its Glovo Academies to provide training in business management, financial literacy and entrepreneurship for merchants and riders.
In line with its sustainability agenda, the firm is also exploring electric mobility solutions through partnerships that enable riders to acquire electric motorcycles under flexible financing arrangements.
Internally, Kolawole said he will focus on building a high-performing team by expanding leadership opportunities and strengthening access to both local and international training programmes within Glovo’s global network.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in Uganda’s economic trajectory, describing the market as one with significant room for growth.
“Uganda is a growing economy with enormous potential. Today’s Uganda is the smallest it will ever be, and Glovo wants to be a catalyst for sustainable development in all the cities where we operate,” he said.
The appointment underscores Glovo’s long-term commitment to Uganda, as the company seeks to scale its technology-driven services while supporting local businesses and creating employment opportunities across the value chain.
