Glovo adds ‘vibanda’ to delivery platform

Multi-category delivery application Glovo has added small food sellers to its online delivery platform.

The sellers commonly referred to as vibanda or vibandaskis can now sign up for online deliveries through the platform for free and begin using the platform for orders.

“As Glovo, we are aiming to be a catalyst for SMEs around the country through these partnerships with Kibanda owners as we bridge the gap where affordability meets convenience,” noted Glovo General Manager for Kenya Priscilla Muhiu.

The platform has been piloting the initiative over the last three months which it dubs as the Kibanda Bubble with the aim of breaking the dominance of established food outlets in online deliveries.

“Most owners have noted since joining the app, it has been good for business with sales going up and getting clients that they normally would not get if they fully depended on walk-in clients,” added Ms Muhu.

“As we monitor the growth of Kibanda business, orders in Kibanda Bubble have increased by 435% meaning we have managed to deliver five times more local meals through the bubble in only three months.”

Mainstream food outlets such as restaurants, cafes and big hotels had dominated online food delivery platforms until the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced smaller restaurants to take advantage of the online business to sustain operations and expand.