AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
A new digital platform, FoodBank, has officially launched in Ibadan, aiming to address food insecurity and inflation through a tech-enabled e-commerce model.
Developed by Sovereign Technology and Innovation Ltd, the platform allows users to order essential food items via a mobile app with doorstep delivery—targeting low- and middle-income earners, busy professionals, and households struggling with high market prices.
In an interview, the CEO of Sovereign Technology, Abiodun Mustapha, said FoodBank was born out of the need to provide affordable, accessible food solutions amidst Nigeria’s rising economic challenges.
“FoodBank eliminates middlemen, ensures transparent pricing, and brings accountability to the food supply chain,” Mustapha explained. “With inflation making basic food items increasingly unaffordable, we’ve built a system that offers regulated prices and lets users pay at their convenience.”
Currently offering staple items such as rice, vegetable oil, and crayfish, the platform sources perishable goods directly from trusted wholesalers, reducing waste and maintaining quality. Cooked meals are not yet available, but Mustapha confirmed plans for a restaurant segment are in the pipeline.
Since its launch, FoodBank has attracted over 5,000 users, including civil servants in Oyo State. A partnership with the Oyo State Ministry of Trade and Investment has opened doors for further collaboration across ministries.
The platform also offers a Buy Now, Pay Later feature for civil servants, with plans to extend it to the general public. Recognising Nigeria’s diverse user base, the company deploys a mobile support team to help market traders and elderly users navigate the app.
Mustapha, a trained software engineer, revealed that FoodBank also plans to expand into Lagos, Abeokuta, Osun, and Abuja within six months. The company, also registered in Portugal, aims to become a major player in Africa’s food-tech space.
Future features include dietary consultation services to support users with conditions like diabetes and hypertension. “Our goal is to integrate food and health, offering more than convenience—offering wellness,” Mustapha said.
Despite its progress, Mustapha cited funding as the startup’s biggest challenge but expressed optimism that partnerships and government support will drive the platform’s impact.
“We’re not just building an app—we’re building a food accessibility ecosystem that empowers Nigerians and stabilizes household nutrition,” he concluded.
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