Brands/Products
How Jumia is Contributing to the Growth of Food Delivery Services in Nigeria
If one should name an industry that has gained tremendous growth, success, and impact, it is online food delivery. With the increasing advancement in technology, significant mergers from various investors and the human need for food, the global food delivery market will most likely reach an estimated $215 billion by 2024.
The success of this sector is also very evident in a country like Nigeria, with food being a crucial need for all, especially in the working-class sector in busy cities like Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt.
According to numbers by Worldometer, Nigeria’s rank as the largest populated country in Africa, with over 200 million people, has contributed to the food segment revenue of $33.7 billion. This high revenue can also be attributed to the fast adoption rate of smartphones in the country, which allows customers to access food delivery services via mobile apps.
Africa’s biggest e-commerce platform, Jumia, through its food delivery services has made an indelible mark on the Nigerian food industry since its launch in 2012.
One of the significant ways it does this is through a large number of partnerships with various Nigerian restaurants. This has made it easier for consumers to order food from a restaurant through the Jumia Food app regardless of location.
For the vendors, it also gives them a wider range of consumers, which helps them to stay ahead of the competition. This was quite evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when restaurants partnering with Jumia Food were able to sustain their businesses through the Jumia delivery network.
In 2020, Jumia launched the Nigeria Food Index Report, the first of its kind in the segment. The report captured the growing popularity of fast food in Nigeria and the positive impact and prospects for the Nigerian Agricultural sector. The report also revealed that local Nigerian cuisines led to the preference of Nigerians compared to continental dishes, with 64% of orders being placed for lunch.
In its bid to drive further growth of online food and delivery services, Jumia Food expanded its reach to several cities in Nigeria, such as Ibadan, Minna, Benin, Kaduna, Abeokuta, Kano, and Ilorin. With the ever-growing need for convenience and value for money, there is no doubt that Jumia Food has helped to create a huge boom in the online food delivery sector which would, in turn, lead to significant growth in the country’s economy and revenue.
Recently, Jumia entered a partnership with Errand360, a bicycle delivery company in Nigeria, to make food deliveries via the Jumia Food app seamless with hundreds of riders across multiple locations. This is a way to show Jumia’s efforts in strengthening the food delivery services in Nigeria. For a company like Jumia that keeps innovating ways to promote customer satisfaction, we are best to believe that the food delivery service in Nigeria is a step further to become more dynamic.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
