Nigeria’s rapid commerce and food delivery sector is booming, with Glovo partners generating ₦71 billion since 2021 and local giant Chowdeck achieving ₦30 billion in cumulative delivery value, driving significant economic growth and digital payment adoption
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria’s rapid commerce and food delivery sector is undergoing an unprecedented expansion, with major platforms significantly increasing their operational reach and generating substantial revenue for local businesses across the country.
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Glovo, a prominent international player in the quick commerce space, announced on May 28, 2025, at the Future of Commerce 2025 Summit held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, that its Nigerian partners have collectively generated a staggering ₦71 billion in revenue since its launch in 2021.
This remarkable milestone underscores the profound economic impact of digital ecosystems within the nation.
According to a Glovo statement, its data-driven operations have fostered robust growth for its local partners over the past four years.
While Lagos accounts for approximately 70 per cent of Glovo’s operations in Nigeria, the company has successfully extended its services to 11 cities nationwide.
The platform currently supports over 6,000 approved restaurants and retail shops, powered by a robust network of more than 2,400 active delivery riders.
A notable trend within Glovo’s operations is the accelerating shift towards digital payments. In 2024, the platform recorded a substantial 76 per cent increase in gross merchandise value (GMV).
Concurrently, cash transactions, which constituted 88 per cent of orders in 2021, sharply declined to just 39 per cent.
This significant shift highlights a growing preference among Nigerian consumers for digital payment methods, aligning seamlessly with broader national efforts to promote a cashless economy.
Alongside Glovo’s well-established presence, Chowdeck has emerged as a formidable local competitor.
This home-grown platform has experienced rapid growth, now operating in eight states and supporting over 3,000 merchants through an extensive network of more than 10,000 delivery riders.
In 2024, the platform [Glovo] recorded a 76 per cent increase in gross merchandise value (GMV). At the same time, cash transactions, which made up 88 per cent of orders in 2021, fell sharply to just 39 per cent.
Chowdeck’s recent achievements offer compelling insights into the competitive market landscape.
For instance, “Amoke Oge,” a vendor operated by Hajia Amoke Odukoya, was recently lauded for completing over 500,000 deliveries, generating an estimated ₦2.3 billion in revenue based on an average order value of ₦4,600.
Similarly, Korede Spaghetti, a vendor primarily serving the University of Lagos (UNILAG) community, surpassed ₦1 billion in sales on the Chowdeck platform, showcasing the potential for substantial revenues even among highly localised businesses.
As of October 2024, Chowdeck had achieved a cumulative delivery value of ₦30 billion, serving over one million registered users.
When comparing these two leading platforms, Glovo’s ₦71 billion in revenue generated for partners since 2021 reflects its cumulative impact over a slightly longer operational period, bolstered by its broader international backing.
Conversely, Chowdeck’s swift rise, marked by ₦30 billion in total delivery value by October 2024 and a significantly larger rider network, demonstrates strong local market penetration and an effective community-focused approach.
Both platforms are critical contributors to Nigeria’s burgeoning gig economy and play a vital role in empowering small businesses, although their differing growth paths and operational scales offer insights into varying strategies for market leadership.
Beyond these two major players, Nigeria’s quick commerce and food delivery space continues to flourish.
Emerging platforms such as Foodcourt, Bolt Food, HeyFood, UrbanEats, MANO, and Foodelo are actively shaping the evolving digital commerce landscape.
This increasing competition fosters innovation and provides consumers with an ever-expanding array of choices.
Crucially, the sector’s robust growth is also creating significant economic opportunities for individuals.
Reports indicate that riders working with these platforms earn between ₦15,000 and ₦25,000 daily, representing a strong income stream for thousands of Nigerians engaged in the gig economy.
Collectively, these quick commerce platforms are playing a vital role in digitising access to food and retail.
They are driving substantial economic growth for thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
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With their expanding reach and evolving business models, they are profoundly reshaping how Nigerian consumers interact with restaurants, vendors, and retail outlets.
Quick commerce is now firmly cemented as a key component of Nigeria’s vibrant digital future.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
