Uber Set to Dominate African Delivery Market with Acquisition of Delivery Hero

In a move that could reshape the digital commerce landscape in Africa, ride-hailing giant Uber has agreed to acquire German food delivery group Delivery Hero for $14.8 billion. This acquisition will give Uber control of two of Africa’s leading delivery platforms—Glovo and Talabat—significantly expanding its presence on the continent.

The deal, which values Delivery Hero at €41.50 per share, is expected to close in the second half of 2027 pending regulatory approvals. Upon completion, Uber will operate a combined platform spanning 99 markets with $236 billion in gross bookings.

Strategic Significance for Africa

This acquisition represents a major turning point for Africa’s rapidly growing food and grocery delivery market. Currently, Uber primarily offers ride-hailing services across several African cities but lacks a substantial delivery presence. By inheriting Glovo’s established merchant networks and last-mile logistics capabilities, the company will gain immediate access to some of the continent’s most promising digital economies.

Glovo operates in key markets including Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, while Talabat maintains a strong presence across North Africa—particularly in Egypt. Industry analysts project that Africa’s food delivery market will reach billions of dollars in the coming years, making it an increasingly strategic priority for global players.

Addressing Regulatory Concerns

To address potential antitrust concerns related to market share concentration, Delivery Hero has agreed to divest operations in 14 overlapping markets to SSW Partners for approximately $1.6 billion before the transaction closes. These divestitures include Glovo’s operations in Spain and Poland.

Future Implications

While no immediate changes are expected for consumers or businesses using Glovo or Talabat, industry experts anticipate that Uber will eventually explore opportunities to integrate technology platforms and optimize logistics across its delivery businesses. This could lead to:

• Enhanced route optimization and delivery efficiency
• Expanded merchant partnerships and service offerings
• Greater investment in digital payment solutions tailored for African markets

The combined entity would possess the scale to invest more heavily in logistics infrastructure, potentially transforming Africa’s delivery landscape.