BY: TANA MALINGA
Uber Eats and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development are celebrating a powerful win for township economies, a partnership that has unlocked over R1 billion in value and opened new doors for local businesses and delivery partners across the province.
Marked in Johannesburg on 3 February 2026, the Township Celebration reflected on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2023 to support the Township Development Act by bringing township businesses into the digital economy.
The results speak loud and clear. More than 2,000 township restaurants and food businesses have joined the Uber Eats platform, gaining training, tools, and visibility far beyond walk-in customers. At the same time, over 7,500 delivery people have signed up, building strong and reliable delivery networks inside townships.
This growth has been powered by over R250 million in investment from Uber Eats, supporting merchant onboarding, hardware, in-app marketing, and access to delivery bikes and education for earners. The outcome: township businesses reaching millions of customers across Gauteng and earning more than ever before.
Uber Eats EMEA General Manager Saskia de Jongh said the partnership proves what happens when talent meets access and demand. “This is about real pathways for businesses and earners to grow on their own terms,” she said.
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile called the partnership a clear example of policy turning into action. “Township economies are central to Gauteng’s growth,” he said.
As the partnership looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, it stands as strong proof that with teamwork, technology, and trust, inclusive growth is not just possible, it is happening
About Uber
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 1 billion trips later across Africa, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.
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