Glovo Academy Nigeria launches in Abuja to support over 5,000 SMEs, empowering small businesses through skills, tech, and strategic investment
Glovo Academy Nigeria officially launched in Abuja on Tuesday, marking a significant step in empowering small businesses across the country’s fast-growing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.
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The initiative, unveiled by global delivery platform Glovo, aims to build capacity, transfer skills, and support sustainable growth among Nigeria’s entrepreneurs.
Glovo, which entered the Nigerian market in 2021, says over 5,000 local businesses and 12,000 riders have already benefited from its operations.
Speaking at the event, Kolawole Adeniyi, Head of Commercial at Glovo Nigeria, emphasised the company’s commitment to Africa’s grassroots economy.
“We’ve invested €206 million across six African countries, and Nigeria remains one of our biggest opportunities. In Nigeria, over 95% of our partners are SMEs,” he said.
He noted that Glovo has delivered an estimated ₦55 billion in value to Nigerian businesses, underscoring its mission to support — not exploit — local economies.
“Most global companies come to Africa to extract value. Glovo is doing the opposite — investing in people and infrastructure without demanding immediate returns,” Adeniyi added.
Head of Growth and Abuja Business Lead, Reni Onafeko, revealed that Glovo has already facilitated two million orders in Abuja alone, with over 2,000 local riders and 1,000 partners participating.
“The launch of the Glovo Academy is not just about training — it’s about transformation,” she said. “Our partners are vital contributors to Nigeria’s economy, and we must equip them to grow sustainably.”
The academy’s launch comes at a time when Nigeria’s MSME sector — estimated at over 39 million enterprises — is increasingly recognised as the engine of the national economy, contributing 40% of GDP and 80% of jobs, according to SMEDAN data.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, Ifeoma Williams, Senior Special Adviser on Strategic Communications at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said the focus on SMEs was timely.
“There is no economy without SMEs. They are the lifeblood of Nigeria’s growth,” she stated.
Williams confirmed that Nigeria’s first industrial policy in over three decades had just been validated and would soon be officially launched.
“Access to affordable finance exists — including a ₦75bn fund at single-digit interest. But many SMEs cannot access it due to poor business structures. That’s where capacity-building like Glovo Academy is crucial,” she noted.
From the private sector, Tijjani Mustapha, founder of Ahmed Shawarma, shared insights from running a food service business.
He said consistency, delegation, and digital platforms such as Glovo, Instagram, and Facebook were essential to surviving Nigeria’s tough business landscape.
“Technology is no longer a luxury. It’s a survival tool,” Mustapha said, admitting he once had to shut down a branch due to staffing issues. “Customer feedback helped us rebuild. Tech gave us reach, data, and control.”
Also speaking, Kayode Meyanbe from SMEDAN said the agency is revamping its curriculum to improve business training. “We are working with business schools and service providers to deliver targeted, practical skills. Too many SMEs fail not for lack of ambition but lack of knowledge.”
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The panellists concluded that while Nigeria’s MSMEs face major structural and operational challenges, initiatives like Glovo Academy — backed by private sector commitment and improved government policy — are vital to unlocking their full potential.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
