Mercado Libre has announced a US$2.6-billion investment in Argentina for 2025, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the region as the e-commerce and fintech giant continues its expansion across Latin America.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the company said the funds will be used to strengthen its logistics network, enhance technological capabilities for both e-commerce and financial services, ramp up marketing efforts, and secure key service contracts.
The announcement was made by Juan Martín de la Serna, president of Mercado Libre Argentina, during a company event held at Costa Salguero in Buenos Aires. The company is led regionally by its founder and CEO, Marcos Galperin.
De la Serna attributed the move, in part, to recent macroeconomic adjustments by the government, which he said have improved consumer conditions – particularly through increased access to credit. “There’s a growing use of credit on Mercado Libre, which is crucial for consumption,” he noted.
The Argentina-based firm also revealed plans to hire 2,000 new employees in the country this year, bringing its national workforce to 14,000 by the end of 2025. Further details about the new positions are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
The announcement follows a flurry of recent investment commitments across the region. In the past month alone, Mercado Libre has pledged US$5.8 billion for Brazil, US$3.4 billion for Mexico, US$470 million for Colombia, and US$550 million for Chile.
These investments are set to significantly boost employment figures in several markets. In Brazil, the company plans to take on 14,000 new staff, pushing its headcount to 50,000. In Mexico, 10,000 new hires are expected to bring the total workforce to around 35,000. In Chile, 900 new roles will be added to the 2,600 already employed.
In Colombia, the investment is projected to lift the overall workforce to 6,300, though the company did not specify how many new positions would be created.
Mercado Libre also announced it will soon add pharmaceutical sales to its platform. This will complement its food delivery service, which is already available in select areas of the country.
The company became Latin America's most valuable firm in 2024, when its market capitalisation surpassed US$90 billion.
Mercado Libre began as an online marketplace for buying and selling goods, before branching into financial services with the launch of Mercado Pago, its virtual wallet – now widely used in Argentina and Uruguay.
– TIMES/AFP
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