Glovo has trained 50 entrepreneurs in Nakuru in digital marketing, operational efficiency and online product management as the delivery platform expands its support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) beyond Nairobi and Mombasa. The training was conducted through the company's Partner Academy programme to help participating businesses improve their competitiveness and reach more customers through digital platforms.
The programme focuses on practical skills that can help entrepreneurs manage their online presence, improve how they present products and organise business operations. For small businesses, these capabilities can influence how easily customers discover their products, place orders and complete purchases.
Glovo Kenya Small and Medium Size Business Lead Yvonne Muthoka said Nakuru was the company's fastest-growing market outside Nairobi and Mombasa. The expansion reflects the platform's interest in supporting businesses in markets beyond the country's two largest commercial centres.
Digital marketing can help entrepreneurs promote products to potential customers, while online product management enables businesses to keep their listings organised and information up to date. Operational efficiency, meanwhile, can help sellers manage orders and coordinate activities as demand changes.
For smaller enterprises, using digital platforms can provide another route to customers without relying exclusively on physical shop traffic. However, businesses must also manage product availability, order preparation, customer service and delivery requirements to maintain a reliable experience.
Glovo works with more than 6,000 businesses across Kenya, 80% of which are MSMEs, according to the figures provided by the company. The high proportion of small-business partners highlights the role of local enterprises in the platform's operations and the potential reach of programmes designed to strengthen their digital capabilities.
The training also comes as businesses increasingly use online channels to promote goods and services, communicate with customers and manage transactions. Entrepreneurs who develop these skills may be better equipped to adapt to changing consumer behaviour, although the benefits will depend on how effectively they apply the lessons to their operations.
For businesses in Nakuru, participation in the programme offers an opportunity to build capabilities in areas that are increasingly relevant to digital commerce. Access to training alone, however, does not guarantee higher sales; results will depend on customer demand, pricing, product quality and the ability to fulfil orders consistently.
The expansion beyond Nairobi and Mombasa also points to the importance of supporting enterprises in regional commercial centres as digital services reach more markets. Developing local businesses can broaden their access to customers while helping platforms build stronger partnerships outside major urban areas.
The next measure of the programme's impact will be whether participating entrepreneurs apply the skills, improve their online operations and expand their customer reach. Glovo's future training activities and the performance of its business partners in Nakuru will offer further insight into how digital skills initiatives support small-enterprise growth.
