Uber Eats partnership unlocks R1bn for Gauteng township economy

Uber Eats and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development have officially celebrated a landmark partnership that has generated over R1 billion in economic value for township merchants and delivery people.

The collaboration, established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2023, was designed to support the implementation of the Township Development Act by bringing township-based enterprises into the digital economy.

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This strategic move has successfully translated policy intent into measurable economic participation across Gauteng’s township sectors.

The initiative has exceeded its original ambitions by connecting local entrepreneurs to millions of new customers across the province.

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Through this three-year partnership, more than 2 000 township merchants have signed up to the Uber Eats platform, where they receive essential training, hardware tools, and increased visibility to scale their operations.

At the same time, over 7 500 delivery people have joined the network and have been provided with education materials, enabling the creation of reliable delivery infrastructure within these communities.

Investment

To drive this growth, Uber Eats has invested over R250 million specifically focused on enabling long-term success.

This investment has funded merchant sign-ups, in-app marketing tools, and pathways for earners to access new delivery bikes.

Saskia de Jongh, general manager for Uber Eats EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), notes that the milestone reflects what happens when access, demand, and delivery infrastructure come together to create sustainable pathways for businesses to grow on their own terms.

Lebogang Maile, MEC for Economic Development in Gauteng, emphasises that township economies are central to the province’s growth.

He says the partnership proves what is possible when government policy is matched with trusted technology partners to expand market access.

While this week’s celebration honoured outstanding merchants and delivery partners, both parties confirmed that the mandate continues as they look to deepen the impact of this model in 2026 and beyond.

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