Bolt Market Records 300% Growth in Kenya as Online Grocery Demand Surges

Bolt Market, the food and grocery delivery arm of e-mobility giant Bolt, has reported a 300% surge in orders, eight months after launching in Kenya.

The company attributes this milestone to the rising adoption of doorstep delivery services across East Africa.

The platform, designed to complete deliveries in under 20 minutes, has quickly become a key player in Kenya’s growing online food and grocery market. Bolt Food Kenya General Manager Edgar Kitur noted that the reception has exceeded expectations.

“Kenyans want affordability without sacrificing convenience, and Bolt Market delivers exactly that. The rapid growth since launch confirms we are solving a real need,” he said.

Doorstep delivery in Kenya is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased e-commerce, shifting consumer behaviors, and the adoption of technology like mobile apps and AI.

According to a 2024 survey by Kenya’s competition authority (CAK), it noted that as of 2023, 9.3% of Kenyans are shopping for food and groceries online, a figure that has witnessed an uptick in 2024 and 2025. In the same light, the agency projected that the figure is expected to rise to 16.7% by 2027.

Services like Bolt Market, Uber Eats, and platforms connecting agents to customers, are expanding their reach, offering food, groceries, and other goods directly to consumers. Despite challenges like inadequate addressing systems, traffic congestion, and operational costs, the sector’s potential is high, with ongoing innovation aimed at improving efficiency, inclusivity, and customer satisfaction.

The significant milestone recorded by Bolt Market, comes after the company officially launched in Nairobi, Kenya in December 2024. The food delivery company entered the East African country with a promise to help customers get their essential groceries delivered fast and conveniently through the Bolt Food app.

That decision has now translated into a milestone attained by its quest to meet the sharp rise in Kenya’s demand for food deliveries. Notably, Bolt Market’s circumspect launch last year, reflects the harsh realities of the logistics business in Kenya, where similar businesses have failed.

Companies like Jumia Food exited Kenya’s food delivery market in 2023 due to unprofitability, driven partly by high delivery costs that made their services less competitive against local alternatives. Similarly, other players have struggled to balance affordability with operational costs in a market where convenience often comes second to price.

Bolt’s Strategic Approach in The Kenyan Market

Bolt Market entered the Kenyan market with a cautious approach into the country’s grocery delivery sector. The company’s limited launch in Kilimani, with its focus on affluent customers, promotional incentives, and logistical optimization, reflects an attempt to avoid the fate of failed ventures like Jumia Food.

Bolt Market offers convenience and simplicity, as customers can make grocery orders and get them delivered to their doorstep in just 30 minutes. The company currently offers over 3,500 products sourced from both large retail chains and local merchants, allowing customers to access mainstream brands alongside locally produced goods. Initially launched in Nairobi’s Kilimani suburb and Mombasa, the company plans to expand its footprint across other Kenyan cities and neighbourhoods before the end of 2025.

Also, it intends to strengthen partnerships with supermarket chains and residential-area stores, positioning itself as a strong competitor to rivals such as Glovo and HappyFresh. Bolt Market is also exploring new pricing strategies, such as discounts based on order size and distance, and hinted at future subscription plans to offer regular customers predictable pricing and cost savings. 

With Kenya serving as its launchpad, Bolt Market is setting the stage to deepen its presence in Africa’s growing online retail and delivery market.