Uber Eats in Kenya has grown its business by 5.2% year-on-year, with gross bookings up by 20.7% year-on-year, and has done so by attracting more first-time customers and by leveraging deliberate upscaling and diversification.

The online e-commerce company launched in Kenya four years ago in Nairobi and has since expanded to Mombasa and Nakuru.

The company says the growth has been largely driven by a steady increase in first-time consumers, but also by deliberate upscaling and diversification of the Uber Eats platform “through working with key restaurant partners and the addition and expansion of grocery and convenience orders.”

Since 2013, Uber and Uber Eats claim to have collectively reached over 30 million riders and eaters in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Kui Mbugua, General Manager, Uber Eats Kenya, says, “We are excited to be celebrating four years in Kenya. It has been phenomenal to see the impact that we have had on consumers, delivery people and restaurants. We initially began by having only restaurants in 2018 but have since expanded this to new categories with the goal of increasing engagement and loyalty with our platform. Our category selection currently has multiple key restaurant players in the industry, supermarkets such as Chandarana, pharmacies such as Good Life, flower vendors, gas shops, water delivery shops and - even pet food delivery, while working with a range of partners that cater to every pocket.”

In a statement, the company adds: “In 2021, the smallest order was one banana, while our largest grocery order was over 12 items which included flavoured milk, long-life milk, chocolate, energy drinks, and coffee, to name a few.”

According to Uber Eats, the top four most frequented cuisines in Kenya include: American, Indian, as well as fast food.

Uber Eats has also made a striking change at eateries across the country with the increasing growth of so-called "dark kitchens".

Uber Eats has also witnessed entrepreneurs making use of the app in building their businesses to reach new customers and to get data on which items to focus on, and other information to improve their in-store and delivery operations.

Mbugua concludes: “As we look to the future we want to continue to provide our partners with the means to innovate their businesses and reach more customers, continue to offer economic opportunities to Kenya’s residents, and provide consumers with more options at the tap of a button. We’re proud to play our role in Kenya’s diverse environment and look forward to creating more impact.”