MBABANE – A new mobile application is changing how emaSwati order meals, cutting out long waiting times and endless WhatsApp calls. Thumo, Eswatini’s first dedicated food delivery platform, was launched this month and is already gaining traction in the local market.
The service was developed by a team of young entrepreneurs from the University of California, Berkeley, in partnership with local Chief Executive Officer Aubrey Niederhoffer. Their vision is to offer the same convenience that international apps such as Uber Eats and DoorDash provide, but tailored to the needs of Eswatini.
Thumo has secured partnerships with major fast-food outlets, including KFC, Galito’s, Pizza Inn and Debonairs, while also creating a new marketplace for family-run restaurants. The platform manages deliveries, allowing businesses to concentrate on food preparation without the cost of hiring their own drivers.
Customers can order directly from their phones, with options to pay via cash, bank cards or MoMo. Delivery charges remain low, making the service accessible to a broad base of users. Co-founder Edwin Ruiz said the goal was to build a super app for Africa, combining food, groceries, rides and other services into one platform.
The response since launch has been rapid. Within days, more than 1,500 users had signed up, creating pressure to expand the driver network. The team has since fine-tuned the system by introducing order batching, which speeds up deliveries and ensures meals are received while still fresh.
Across social media, early users have praised the convenience, while restaurants and drivers are already reporting new sources of income. Beyond food delivery, Thumo’s founders believe the initiative could spark a broader digital transformation in Eswatini.
“Eswatini has the potential to be at the forefront of Africa’s digital economy,” Ruiz said. “Thumo is just the beginning.”
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