From organizing training for its couriers to championing sustainability projects, Glovo has been leading the charge in the multi-category space in Kenya for greener methods of doing business. During a recent visit to Kenya, its Global Head of Impact & sustainability, Sébastien Pellion spoke on the organization’s sustainability strides in Kenya
- Can you provide an overview of Glovo’s sustainability and impact initiatives?
Glovo has made significant strides in sustainability and impact. We’ve successfully implemented training partnerships with Tunapanda and Ongoza Institute, designed bespoke curriculums for scalable training, and conducted successful pilot workshops for both couriers and partners. Additionally, our initiatives in fleet electrification and food waste reduction showcase our commitment to environmental responsibility. Also, Glovo launched the Couriers Pledge, a commitment by the company to increase the social rights and benefits available to couriers, regardless of employment or work status with the company.
Launched in 18 countries, The Couriers Pledge was created with advice from the Fairwork project to establish a new set of standards that includes fair hourly earnings, improvements to insurance coverage and access to training, safety and maintenance provisions. So far, there has been an 11% increase in average earnings per hour, and 24% of couriers have access to parental leave and sick pay.
- How does Glovo develop curriculums for scalable training? How do you ensure these programs are effective and address the needs of both partners and couriers?
The development process involves collaboration with industry experts, partners, and internal stakeholders. We conduct thorough needs assessments to identify gaps in knowledge and skills. Continuous feedback loops, both from participants and trainers, allow us to refine and tailor the curriculums to ensure they remain relevant and effective. Regular updates are made to incorporate industry best practices and emerging trends.
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- How do you plan to build on the lessons learned and feedback from the pilot courier and partner training workshops?
Feedback from pilot workshops is invaluable. We plan to implement targeted improvements based on this feedback, ensuring a more tailored and impactful learning experience. This iterative approach allows us to stay responsive to the evolving needs of our couriers and partners, creating a continuous cycle of improvement. As an illustration, following a finance training session, couriers expressed interest in furthering their knowledge with secondary training focused on investment. In response, we organized a second edition of this training to meet their expressed needs. Also, they conveyed a preference for course schedules that don’t overlap with their regular operational slots. Acknowledging this, we’ve developed new courses that accommodate their availability without conflicting with their daily work commitments.
- Could you discuss the motivation behind Glovo’s fleet electrification initiative and the specific goals you aim to achieve through the partnership with Roam and Mkopa?
Collaboration across the industry, and beyond, can create a bigger impact and we’re committed to playing our part. The motivation behind our fleet electrification initiative is rooted in reducing our carbon footprint and adapting to local regulations prohibiting access to the city centre for combustion vehicles. The partnership with Roam and Mkopa aims to transition a portion of our fleet to electric vehicles, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. Our goals include reducing emissions, improving air quality, and pioneering eco-friendly delivery solutions. Already, 10% of the fleet in Kenya is made of electric bicycles.
- Can you provide details on the NGO partnerships for food waste collection at MFCs (Micro-Fulfillment Centers)? How are these partnerships contributing to Glovo’s commitment to reducing food waste?
Our partnerships with NGOs like Kwetu Home of Peace for food waste collection at MFCs play a crucial role in minimizing our environmental footprint and also in addressing the challenges of the communities where we operate. These collaborations ensure that excess food is redirected to those in need or processed sustainably and help tailor our efforts to make a positive difference in each city we operate in. By actively engaging with NGOs, we reinforce our commitment to social responsibility and contribute to reducing food waste. Since January 2023, we’ve saved 12,000kg of food waste which equates to 25,000 meals.
- Can you share insights into the upcoming L&D initiatives for couriers and partners scheduled for 2024? What new elements or improvements can we expect?
In 2024, we are excited to continue the Learning and Development training exercise for couriers and Partners. New elements will include enhanced content based on feedback from the pilot programs, interactive learning modules, and a focus on leveraging technology for training.
Continuous improvement remains a key priority, ensuring that our L&D initiatives evolve to meet the dynamic needs of our delivery network expecting to impact a vast majority of our partners and couriers. In 2022 and 2023, we committed to The Couriers Pledge, aiming to enhance social rights and benefits for all couriers, irrespective of their employment or work status within the company. In 2024, our commitment remains steadfast as we continue to deliver these established benefits and introduce additional enhancements for them.