Spence on Building in Nigeria: “It’s Not for the Faint-Hearted”

At the heart of the recently concluded Future of Commerce 2025 Summit hosted by Glovo Nigeria was a powerful call to action: build community, embrace collaboration, and scale commerce sustainably in one of the continent’s most dynamic markets.

Held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, the event convened top ecosystem voices from restaurateurs and fintech disruptors to policymakers and investors for a day of candid discussions on resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth.

Opening the summit, Summit Director and Expansion Lead at Glovo Nigeria, Omotola Spence, emphasized the local realities that inspired the event. “Building in Nigeria, especially in commerce, is not for the faint-hearted. It takes grit, constant adaptation, and community,” she said. “This summit is our way of pausing to ask the tough questions: What’s working? What’s broken — and can it be fixed?”

Her remarks set the tone for a day defined by practical insights from operators navigating inflation, staffing, and access to capital, as well as new models like dark stores driving leaner, more agile businesses.
The summit also spotlighted Glovo’s transformative impact in Nigeria, with over ₦71 billion generated for partners since its 2021 launch, and more than 6,000 local shops and restaurants onboarded.

With 76% GMV growth in quick commerce and a 55% drop in cash payments since inception, Glovo’s data underscores both market demand and digital readiness.

The day concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing top-performing partners and riders, a nod to the collaborative spirit that continues to power Nigeria’s evolving commerce landscape.