Glovo, a leading multi-category technology platform, hosted its inaugural Future of Commerce Summit in Kenya, bringing together business leaders, retailers, brands and industry partners to explore how changing consumer habits and technological tools, including generative AI, are reshaping the country’s commerce landscape.
Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, the Summit provided a platform to discuss the next phase of Kenya’s digital economy, exploring the rise of quick commerce and how digital marketplaces help businesses expand beyond traditional retail.
The discussions come at a time when Kenya’s retail landscape is undergoing a significant shift. Consumers are increasingly looking for convenience, speed and greater choice, while businesses are exploring new ways to reach customers without necessarily expanding their physical footprint.
During the Summit, Glovo highlighted its existing in-app AI assistant as a practical example of this evolution. By integrating leading language models like ChatGPT and Claude to work with the platform, the feature illustrates the shift toward conversational shopping. Instead of scrolling through traditional menus, users can simply type what they need in natural language, demonstrating how digital platforms are adapting to meet the demand for ultimate convenience.
- The inaugural event gathered industry leaders, retail partners, and brands to explore the evolving landscape of e-commerce and changing consumer habits in Kenya.
- Discussions highlighted the growing demand for convenience and how technological innovations are opening new channels beyond traditional physical retail.
- The summit builds on Glovo’s recent commitment to invest an additional KSh 10 billion in the country by 2030 to fuel its continued expansion beyond Nairobi.
Speaking during the Summit, Caroline Mutuku, Country Managing Director, Kenya, Glovo, said the future of commerce will increasingly depend on how businesses adapt to these evolving demands.
“The way Kenyans shop is changing, and businesses must adapt to these new consumer expectations,” said Mutuku. “Today, a customer wants convenience, choice, and the ability to access everyday products seamlessly without necessarily visiting a physical store. The future of commerce relies on unlocking these new opportunities and reshaping how we connect customers with our retail partners.”
The company’s growth reflects this changing consumer behaviour. In 2025, Glovo recorded a 40% year-on-year increase in orders in Kenya, pointing to growing demand for on-demand services and the increasing integration of digital platforms into everyday shopping.
A reflection of this shift is Glovo’s growing partnership with oraimo. With the platform’s intelligent search capabilities, non-food brands like oraimo are seeing stronger visibility, demonstrating how on-demand commerce opens new opportunities beyond food.
“Our partnership with Glovo represents a critical shift in how consumer electronics are accessed in Kenya,” said Saixu Fan, Regional Manager at oraimo. “As customers increasingly prioritize speed and convenience, being available on a platform that uses intuitive technology ensures our smart accessories are always within reach. It is no longer just about traditional retail; it is about meeting the modern consumer exactly where they are in the digital space, on demand.”
The Kenya edition builds on Glovo’s wider efforts to drive conversations around digital commerce across Africa, following the second edition of its Future of Commerce Summit held in Lagos, Nigeria, in April this year.
This regional momentum aligns with Glovo’s continued push to strengthen its local presence. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to invest an additional KSh 10 billion in Kenya by 2030, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the country’s digital economy, local businesses and technology ecosystem.
The investment is expected to support the company’s continued growth, including expansion into more towns and cities beyond Nairobi, as demand for digital commerce services increases across the country.
Beyond geographic expansion, the Summit explored the role of collaboration in shaping the next chapter of commerce. Through fireside chats and panel discussions, participating businesses and industry stakeholders exchanged perspectives on emerging consumer trends, technology adoption, retail innovation and the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Glovo currently operates in 12 towns and cities in Kenya, supporting over 6,000 merchants and more than 2,200 active riders daily. Since entering the market in 2019, businesses on the platform have generated more than KSh 20 billion in sales, with approximately 80% of this value flowing to small and medium-sized businesses.
