From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Online food ordering and delivery platform Uber Eats and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development recently celebrated its three-year partnership that aims to support the implementation of the Gauteng Township Economic Development Act by bringing township businesses into the digital economy. Lynne Davies tells us more.

Lynne Davies:

As Uber Eats and the GDED reflected on the milestones of their collaboration, the parties expressed that the partnership has, to date, exceeded ambitions and delivered economic impact across Gauteng’s township economies.

The partnership has enabled Uber Eats merchants and delivery partners in townships the ability to access the digital platform’s customer base, while also creating sustainable earning opportunities.

According to Uber Eats Sub-Sahara Africa GM Ntsoaki Nsibanyoni, over a three-year period, starting in May 2023, Uber Eats and the GDED committed themselves to the digitalisation of 700 township restaurants and food businesses into the digital economy, further creating income opportunities for over 2 000 delivery partners.

Uber Eats Sub-Sahara Africa GM Ntsoaki Nsibanyoni…

Lynne Davies:

Through the partnership, Uber Eats and the GDED has onboarded more than 2 000 township merchants onto the Uber Eats platform, supporting them with training, tools and visibility to help them grow.

Simultaneously, over 7 500 delivery partners have been onboarded and trained, further enabling reliable delivery networks within township areas.

Uber Eats Sub-Sahara Africa GM Ntsoaki Nsibanyoni…

Lynne Davies:

The idea, according to Uber Eats Europe, Middle East & Africa VP Saskia de Jongh, allows an already thriving economy to unlock growth, reach and opportunity.

Uber Eats Europe, Middle East & Africa VP Saskia de Jongh…

Lynne Davies:

This partnership further illustrated that digitalisation does not replace enterprise but strengthens it, with township businesses being able to reach customers across “existing and expanding geographies” in addition to delivery partners finding more consistent earning opportunities as demand grows.

Uber Eats Europe, Middle East & Africa VP Saskia de Jongh...

Lynne Davies:

In addition, according to GDED member of the executive council Lebogang Maile, digitalisation is key to helping Township economies be deliberate in growing the participation of entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises and citizens in the townships.

GDED MEC Lebogang Maile…

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.