Eritrea Food Delivery Startup: Business Plan, Costs & Opportunities

It was a hot afternoon in Asmara. The sun painted the streets golden, and the smell of roasted coffee drifted out from small cafés. Dawit, a young professional, had just returned home after work. He was hungry, tired, and craving zigni with injera.

But there was a problem. The restaurant nearby didn’t deliver. No quick order option. No food delivery app to make life easier.

That’s when the thought struck him: “If people can order meals instantly in New York with Grubhub delivery or in San Francisco with DoorDash food delivery, why not here in Asmara? Why can’t Eritrea have modern delivery apps too?”

And so begins the story of opportunity.

Why Is Eritrea Ready for Food Delivery Apps in 2025?

Life in Eritrea is changing.

• More young people own smartphones.
• Internet access, while still growing, is improving.
• Families and workers want convenience.

In Asmara, Keren, and Massawa, cafés and restaurants are booming. But most still depend on walk-in customers. Busy professionals, students, and families want quick access to meals without waiting in long queues.

That’s exactly where food delivery apps in Eritrea can fill the gap. Just like DoorDash food delivery transformed daily eating habits in the US, Eritrea can experience the same shift.

What Is a Food Delivery App in the Eritrean Context?

Globally, apps like Grubhub delivery and DoorDash delivery app in Eritrea are household names. They connect customers, restaurants, and drivers in one smooth platform.

But in Eritrea, things must adapt to local culture:

• Menus should include traditional foods like zigni, tsebhi, shiro, and firfir.
• Payments must accept cash and mobile money, since card use is limited.
• Apps should run on lightweight code because many users have older smartphones.

In short, a successful food delivery app in Eritrea here must be simple, reliable, and rooted in Eritrean culture.

How Do You Start a Food Delivery App Business in Eritrea?

1 Identify the Problem

Dawit noticed that:

• Few restaurants in Asmara had delivery services.
• Busy workers had no food ordering apps to save time.
• Families wanted convenience during evenings.

This was the gap. And every business begins with a gap.

2 Research the Market

He didn’t just dream. He walked into restaurants and cafés. He spoke with students at the University of Asmara. He asked families in neighborhoods like Tiravolo and Geza Banda.

• Would you order through delivery apps?
• Would you pay a small delivery fee?

Most answered yes.

3 Handle Legalities

Eritrea is still opening up to tech, but for a startup, you must:

• Register a company.
• Get licenses to operate.
• Draft contracts with restaurants and drivers.
• Stay compliant with digital payments.

Skipping these steps makes growth difficult.

4Budgeting and Costs

How much does it take to launch a food delivery app in Eritrea?

• Food delivery app development: $20,000 – $50,000.
• Marketing: $5,000 – $10,000 (posters, social media, radio).
• Operations: $1,500 – $3,000 per month.
• Driver incentives: $3,000 to start.

Overall, Dawit estimated between $30,000 and $60,000 to launch.

5 Build the App

The app must:

• Support Arabic, Tigrinya, and English menus.
• Accept payments via cash and mobile wallets.
• Be lightweight and fast.
• Track deliveries with GPS.

That’s when Dawit found Appicial Applications, a global food delivery app development company. They offered ready-made solutions for food delivery app development—affordable, customizable, and perfect for Eritrean needs.

This saved him months of coding and reduced costs.

6 Partner with Restaurants and Drivers

Convincing restaurants wasn’t easy. But Dawit explained:

• More visibility through the app.
• Increased sales.
• Easier payments.

He also recruited drivers. Many young men with motorbikes saw this as extra income. It became a win-win system.

7 Launch and Market

No app grows without awareness. Dawit launched with:

• Flyers at schools and universities.
• Ads on Facebook and Instagram.
• Free first deliveries.

Soon, orders started rolling in.

How Do Food Delivery Apps Make Money?

The revenue model mirrors giants like Grubhub delivery and DoorDash food delivery.

• Commissions from restaurants (15–25% per order).
• Delivery charges from customers.
• Featured listings for restaurants.
• Subscription packages for unlimited deliveries.

This ensures steady income while keeping services affordable.

Also Read: Mauritania Food Delivery App Business: Profitable Startup Model in 2025

What Are the Challenges in Eritrea?

Starting a food delivery app in Eritrea is not without hurdles:

• The Internet can be weak in rural areas.
• Many people prefer cash over digital payments.
• Some restaurants resist digital change.
• Logistics across long distances can be tough.

But each challenge is an opportunity. Mobile payments are expanding. Awareness campaigns can change mindsets. And with persistence, entrepreneurs can overcome these barriers.

What’s the Future of Food Delivery in Eritrea by 2025?

Eritrea’s future looks bright:

• AI in food ordering apps → predicting user preferences.
• Multi-service super apps → food, groceries, and taxis in one.
• Drone delivery → maybe not immediate, but possible in the coming years.
• Expansion beyond Asmara into Massawa, Keren, and beyond.

Just as DoorDash delivery app scaled across the US, Eritrean startups can expand nationwide.

Why Appicial Applications Is the Smart Choice

Dawit had the vision, but Appicial Applications gave him the tools.

Appicial provided:

• A ready-made food delivery app.
• Customization in Tigrinya, Arabic, and English.
• GPS integration and mobile payment options.
• Full platforms for drivers, customers, and restaurants.

Without Appicial, Dawit’s dream would have taken years. With their food delivery app development solutions, he launched within weeks.

If you want to build a business like DoorDash food delivery or Grubhub delivery in Eritrea, Appicial is the partner to trust. As a leading food delivery app development company, they help you start fast and grow strong.

Author's Bio

Vinay Jain

Vinay Jain is the Founder at Grepix Infotech and brings over 12 years of entrepreneurial experience. His focus revolves around software & business development and customer satisfaction.