How to Start a Food Delivery Business in Nigeria
Nigeria is changing fast!
It is no secret that many popular regions like Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt are growing daily. Convenience is something that attracts people. They desire reliable food delivery.
Smartphone usage is rising quickly. In 2025, 48.15% of people used the internet, up from 41% five years prior. Mobile internet access reaches 142 million subscribers across the country.
Yet most businesses still take orders via phone or WhatsApp. Deliveries often fail or arrive late. Food gets cold. Trust breaks down.
That’s where a Food Delivery App can help. You connect restaurants, riders, and customers in real time. You provide tracking, faster deliveries, and secure payments.
If you're thinking of creating a food delivery app in Nigeria, now is the time. This blog shows you how to build, launch, and grow successfully.
Nigeria’s Online Food Delivery App market is booming. Its revenue in 2024 was almost US$1.04 billion, and it is anticipated to rise at a rate of more than 10% per year to reach US$3.07 billion in 2025. Growth in urban areas, shifting lifestyles, and the broad adoption of smartphones are the primary contributors to this upward trajectory. The scene is being influenced by regional players such as Glovo, Bolt Food, Chowdeck, and Jumia Food. Yet supply is still catching up to demand. This blog walks you through reasons to invest in a Food Delivery App, essential features, tech infrastructure, costs, challenges, and how Appicial Applications, a leading Food App Development Company, can help build and scale your platform.
Why Invest in Food Delivery App Development in Nigeria?
Here are the major reasons to invest in food delivery app development in Nigeria.
1 Expanding market size
Nigeria's online delivery of food market has been projected to be worth US$1.037 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow steadily to reach US$3.07 billion in 2025 and over US$4.95 billion by 2030.
2 The middle class's explosive expansion and increasing urbanization
Nowadays, most Nigerians reside in urban areas. The demand for quick meals is primarily driven by busier lifestyles and more money available for spending.
3 Growing internet and smartphone usage
Nigeria had more than 140 million mobile internet users and a 48.15% internet penetration rate by the beginning of 2025.
4 Consumers expect convenience
Young Nigerians, especially in cities, choose comfort. Food delivery through apps offers control and choice, right from their wallet and phone.
5 The market still has gaps
Although there are local companies such as Chowdeck, FoodCourt, Heyfood, Jumia Food, Bolt Food, and Glovo, in certain cities the service is frequently slow or unreliable.
6 Trust is key
Customers value reliability. When deliveries arrive hot and on time, they stay. This repeated usage builds loyalty and growth.
Which Features Are Essential for a Food Delivery App?
Customer app features
- Smooth registration (phone, email, OTP)
- Browse restaurants and menus
- Real-time Uber Eats Delivery or Grubhub Delivery-style tracking
- Estimated delivery time and live GPS
- Push notifications and SMS updates
- Ratings and reviews system
- Secure payments: mobile wallets, cards, cash-on-delivery
Restaurant partner app
- Order management and acceptance
- Menu and availability control
- View incoming orders with times
- Analytics dashboards (sales, ratings)
- Notifications for new orders
Delivery courier app
- Accept or reject delivery requests
- GPS navigation with optimized routes
- Status updates: picked up, delivered
- Earnings overview and history
Admin dashboard
- Real-time order monitoring
- Manage restaurants, riders, and customers
- Analytics: busy hours, order volume, performance
- Promotional tools (discounts, featured listings)
- Customer service interface
These features resemble industry-standard DoorDash food Delivery, DoorDash delivery App, and Grubhub food delivery platforms, but tailored for Nigerian conditions.
What is the Technology Stack and Architecture?
Frontend
Use Flutter or React Native to build Android and iOS apps.
Admin dashboard built with React.js or Angular.
Backend
Node.js with Express or Python with Django
PostgreSQL or MongoDB for the database
Redis for caching and real-time push data
Third-party services
- Google Maps API for navigation
- Firebase or Twilio for SMS/push notifications
- Payment gateways for cards and mobile wallets
- Analytics platforms like Mixpanel or Firebase Analytics
Hosting and cloud
AWS, Google Cloud, or DigitalOcean servers
Scalable microservices architecture
Modular design for restaurants, users, riders, and admin
This setup supports fast growth, live updates, and multiple payment options.
What are the Challenges and Market Gaps in Nigeria?
Here are the challenges and market gaps in Nigeria.
1 Economic challenges
Food prices have increased, and inflation is above 20%. Customers are sensitive to price. However, they will pay for dependability.
2 Traffic and infrastructure issues
Cities like Lagos and Abuja face traffic jams. Food often arrives late or cold. Apps need smart route planning and reliable riders.
3 Digital divide
While urban penetration is strong, rural areas still lag. Your app must run on low-end Android devices and work on 4G or even spotty connections.
4 Trust and food quality
Customers need assurance. Prompt delivery. Proper packaging. Accurate order fulfillment. Reliable service builds loyalty.
5 Competition and pricing pressure
Discount wars are common. Profit margins are tight. Your platform must optimize costs while improving experience.
6 Payment trust
Many Nigerians prefer cash on delivery. Yet mobile payments and platforms like JumiaPay, Opay, or Kuda are growing fast. Integration is essential.
What is the Estimated Development Cost & Timeline?
Basic MVP version
- Customer, restaurant, and rider apps
- Core tracking, payments, basic admin
- Timeline: 1–2 months
- Estimated cost: US$25,000–40,000
Also Read: How to Start a Food Delivery App Business in Mozambique
Advanced full-featured platform
- Real-time analytics, loyalty modules, multi-language support, dynamic pricing
- Timeline: 1–3 months
- Estimated cost: US$50,000–80,000+
Ongoing costs
- Hosting, maintenance, support
- Marketing, rider onboarding, server scaling
Start with a lean MVP. Launch, learn, and iterate with real users in Lagos or Abuja. Then expand gradually.
How Appicial Applications Can Help?
At Appicial Applications, we specialize in Food App Development tailored for markets like Nigeria.
Full-stack development
We build the customer, restaurant, rider apps, and admin dashboard. Clean UI. Optimized performance. Works on basic Android phones too.
Local payment integration
We support Nigerian tools like JumiaPay, Opay, Kuda, and wallets. Enable cashless and card payments to build trust.
Lightweight design
We optimize for limited data bandwidth and slow connections. Users get a smooth experience even with 4G or limited networks.
Rapid deployment templates
We deliver Grubhub Delivery, Uber Eats Delivery, and DoorDash Food Delivery-style platforms, but adapted to local culture and needs.
Training and support
We handle onboarding guidance for restaurants and riders. Provide customer support flows and marketing playbooks.
Transparent pricing
Our packages fit startups and growth-phase companies. We deliver value with clear pricing and no hidden fees.
Conclusion
The market for food delivery in Nigeria is growing quickly. Demand is created by urbanization, smartphone adoption, and changing lifestyles. Local services still fall short in reliability and quality. That gap is open for innovation.
Real-time connections between restaurants, riders, and hungry customers can be made by developing a robust online food delivery app. You solve real pain points. You earn repeat users.
If your application has appropriate features, an effective tech stack, and an income-producing plan, it may compete effectively with established brands. For your success, Appicial Applications offers assistance, scalable solutions, local expertise, and reliable payment integrations.
It's your turn now. Build a lucrative food delivery app that brings in users and expands in Nigeria's swiftly growing online market.
FAQs
Author's Bio
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.
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