Uber to Take Over Glovo and Talabat’s African Operations in €14.8 Billion Delivery Hero Acquisition
Uber is set to take control of the African delivery businesses of Glovo and Talabat through its planned €14.8 billion ($16.9 billion) acquisition of Germany-based Delivery Hero. The deal significantly expands Uber’s presence across several of Africa’s fastest-growing food delivery markets.
The agreement, announced on Wednesday, values Delivery Hero at €41.50 per share in cash. To address competition concerns in overlapping markets, Delivery Hero will sell 14 of its businesses to New York investment firm SSW Partners for approximately $1.6 billion.
As part of the arrangement, Uber will retain operations in 50 markets, including Glovo’s businesses in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Uganda, as well as Talabat’s operations in Egypt. SSW Partners will acquire Glovo’s businesses in Spain, Portugal, Poland, Romania, and Moldova, along with other European delivery brands, which it plans to operate independently while exploring future strategic options.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the acquisition will allow the company to provide affordable and reliable delivery services to millions more customers while expanding the number of markets where Uber operates both ride-hailing and food delivery services.
The African operations strengthen Uber’s position in markets with growing smartphone adoption and increasing demand for on-demand delivery. Glovo has established a strong presence in cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, and Casablanca, while Talabat remains a leading player in Egypt. The acquisition is expected to intensify competition with Bolt Food, local delivery startups, and informal delivery services across the region.
Before the transaction, Uber already owned nearly 25% of Delivery Hero. With Prosus agreeing to tender its roughly 17% stake, Uber’s total economic interest would increase to around 53%. The acquisition remains subject to shareholder approval and regulatory clearance.
To finance the deal, Uber has secured approximately €14 billion in bridge financing from major banks, including Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, and Deutsche Bank. The company expects the acquisition to improve earnings per share within three years while maintaining its investment-grade credit rating.
Delivery Hero’s supervisory board unanimously approved the offer. Company leadership described the partnership as an opportunity to strengthen its long-term competitiveness and build on its leadership in food delivery and quick commerce.
The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2027. As part of the agreement, Uber will maintain Delivery Hero’s Berlin headquarters, avoid workforce reductions there until at least 2029, and invest €2 billion in Germany over five years, including support for autonomous vehicle development.
Industry analysts view the transaction as another major step in the ongoing consolidation of the global food delivery market, with Africa seen as a key growth region where larger platforms can achieve greater scale and operational efficiency.
