In Nigeria, access to fresh, affordable, and quality food remains a challenge for many urban dwellers. Long supply chains, high prices, and inefficiencies in last-mile delivery often leave consumers paying more for less. Enter Olapeju Umah, the founder of MyFoodAngels, a digital marketplace that connects urban Nigerians directly to farmers and local markets, ensuring fresh produce is delivered efficiently and affordably.
With a strong background in agricultural value chains and logistics, Olapeju identified a critical gap in food delivery in Nigeria and built a platform that not only reduces waste but also empowers smallholder farmers with better income and gives consumers transparency in pricing.
The Inspiration Behind MyFoodAngels
Olapeju’s journey began long before the pandemic. She recalls her early days as a Mile 12 market woman, trying to find easier ways to solve food access problems for her own family. “From solving my own challenges, my neighbors and busy professionals started asking me to shop for them,” she said.
Between 2018 and 2020, Olapeju was informally helping her community access fresh produce. After the pandemic, in 2021, she officially rebranded as MyFoodAngels as demand grew. She also began sourcing food beyond local markets, exploring cheaper and more reliable sources across Nigeria.
What Sets MyFoodAngels Apart
Unlike typical food delivery services, MyFoodAngels doesn’t just source items from markets for resale — it ensures fresher food, healthier options, and better prices. The platform also features “Name Your Price”, a unique tool allowing budget-conscious customers to select items within their price range.
Olapeju said the platform currently acts as an intermediary between farmers and consumers. However, the next version of the app will allow farmers to supply directly to consumers, further reducing costs and improving access.
Tackling Supply Chain Challenges
One of the biggest hurdles MyFoodAngels faces is logistics. Poor road networks, inaccessible farms, and limited storage facilities make transporting fresh produce difficult. Security issues in northern Nigeria have also affected sourcing strategies. To overcome these challenges, MyFoodAngels now sources food from the western region of Nigeria, where prices are relatively lower and logistics more manageable.
Technology as an Enabler
Olapeju sees technology as a key enabler, though not the sole solution, for addressing food insecurity in Africa. Platforms like MyFoodAngels can leverage AI, drones, and predictive analytics to monitor food production, improve supply chains, and enhance delivery efficiency. However, she emphasizes that good seeds, strong demand, and reliable road networks remain essential.
Understanding the Customer Base
Over 80% of MyFoodAngels’ customers are women, particularly professionals aged 25–45 who may not have the time to shop regularly. The platform also serves older adults who appreciate the convenience of direct delivery and fair pricing. By focusing on the needs of these demographics, MyFoodAngels ensures its service remains relevant and impactful.
The Impact of Business Growth Initiative for Startups (BGIS)
Olapeju credits BGIS with helping MyFoodAngels overcome major challenges in sales and branding. Through BGIS, the team has optimized their SEO, improved their storytelling, and increased social media visibility. The result? A surge in sales and a social media following that has grown to 18.5k, allowing MyFoodAngels to reach more customers and expand its impact.
Looking Ahead
Olapeju’s vision for MyFoodAngels is ambitious: to make fresh, affordable food accessible to every urban Nigerian while empowering farmers across the country. She believes that with innovation, technology, and strategic partnerships, her platform can significantly reduce food waste, increase farmer income, and help urban consumers eat healthier.
“MyFoodAngels started with a small idea — helping my neighbors — and now we’re creating a system that connects farmers directly to consumers across Nigeria,” Olapeju said.
Her journey demonstrates the power of entrepreneurship in solving systemic challenges, and she continues to inspire other women in Africa to use innovation to drive social impact.
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#Just4WomenAfrica #WomenInBusiness #FoodTech #AgriTech #WomenEntrepreneurs #FoodAccessibility #ImpactAfrica #MyFoodAngels #InnovationInAfrica #EmpoweringWomen
