On Friday, the 4th of August 2023, Uber Eats made a groundbreaking announcement of its partnership with the Gauteng provincial government in South Africa.

The aim of this partnership is to significantly expand the food delivery platform's presence in the province's townships, including Soweto and Atteridgeville.

This pilot project, officially launched on that date, sets forth ambitious goals to create approximately 2,000 courier jobs over the course of three years.

Additionally, Uber Eats plans to invest R200 million in the development of township restaurants and dark kitchens (virtual kitchens exclusively focused on meal delivery, without dine-in facilities).

The primary objective of this initiative is to provide customers in these areas with greater access to both traditional local cuisine and popular fast-food options.

Uber Eats has already established a limited presence in some townships, but this partnership is set to substantially expand its footprint in these markets.

Nakampe Molewa, the regional general manager for sub-Saharan Africa at Uber Eats, expressed enthusiasm about supporting local entrepreneurs and promoting the rich diversity of regional cuisine.

The partnership is also being closely watched by Uber Eats'' headquarters in San Francisco, USA, as it could potentially serve as a model for the company's operations in other townships worldwide.

The project involves a strategic collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, which will facilitate financing for selected couriers to acquire motorbikes and other necessary means of transport.

These couriers will then be integrated into Uber Eats' system to efficiently serve the township areas, ultimately leading to the creation of approximately 2,000 jobs within the next three years.

Beyond the job creation aspect, Uber Eats plans to make additional investments, including offering preferential pricing to township restaurants and providing them with hardware like tablets for deliveries.

Comprehensive training and promotional support will also be extended to foster the growth of these businesses.

As the project unfolds, it has the potential to revolutionise food delivery services in underserved areas not only within South Africa but also worldwide.