South Africa’s on-demand delivery industry is facing fresh disruption as anti-migrant protests have forced food delivery platforms such as Uber Eats and Checkers Sixty60 to suspend or scale back operations in affected areas. The unrest has not only left customers waiting for meals and groceries but has also exposed the growing vulnerability of Africa’s digital economy to social and political instability.
The protests, which have targeted businesses employing foreign nationals and disrupted transport routes in several communities, have made it increasingly difficult for delivery riders to operate safely. Many riders, a significant number of whom are migrants from neighboring African countries, have been forced to stay off the roads amid fears of intimidation, violence, or damage to their vehicles.
For platforms like Uber Eats and Sixty60, safety has become the immediate priority. Companies have temporarily halted deliveries in high-risk locations while closely monitoring developments with local authorities. Although these measures protect workers and customers, they also interrupt a service that millions of South Africans have come to rely on for everyday convenience.
The impact extends well beyond delivery apps. Restaurants, supermarkets, and independent retailers that depend on digital orders are reporting lost sales as deliveries slow or stop altogether. Small businesses that invested heavily in online ordering during and after the COVID-19 pandemic are particularly vulnerable, with many relying on delivery platforms for a significant share of their daily revenue.
The disruption also highlights the human side of South Africa’s gig economy. Thousands of delivery riders work as independent contractors, earning income only when they complete deliveries. Even a few days of suspended operations can significantly affect their livelihoods. For migrant workers, the risks are even greater, as many already face limited employment opportunities despite playing a vital role in keeping the country’s delivery ecosystem running.
The unrest raises broader questions about the resilience of Africa’s fast-growing digital commerce sector. Investors have poured millions of dollars into logistics technology, quick commerce, and food delivery startups across the continent, betting on rising smartphone adoption and changing consumer habits. However, recurring episodes of civil unrest demonstrate that digital platforms remain deeply dependent on stable physical infrastructure and secure operating environments.
Companies are now expected to strengthen contingency planning by expanding driver safety measures, improving communication with local communities, and developing more flexible delivery networks that can adapt during periods of disruption. Governments, meanwhile, face increasing pressure to address both the immediate security concerns and the deeper socioeconomic issues fueling anti-migrant tensions.
As South Africa continues to position itself as one of Africa’s leading digital economies, ensuring safe mobility for workers and protecting technology-enabled businesses will be critical. The success of platforms like Uber Eats and Sixty60 ultimately depends not only on innovative apps and efficient logistics but also on a stable environment where workers, businesses, and consumers can participate in the digital economy without fear of disruption.
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