Olapeju Umah founded MyFoodAngels to solve food access and supply issues in Nigeria.
The origins of many start-ups can often be traced back to a single, persistent challenge—and for Olapeju Umah, founder of MyFoodAngels, that challenge was food shopping in the busy city of Lagos.
A trained electrical-electronics engineer, Umah lived in Ajah but often had to travel to Mile 12 market in search of affordable and quality food items. Like many other professionals in the city, she found the process time-consuming, stressful, and was also worried by fluctuating prices and inconsistent product quality.
In response, she began sourcing food in bulk from Mile 12 and distributing it to neighbours who faced similar struggles. What began as a personal solution soon evolved into a growing network, as word spread and demand increased. This early experience gave her first-hand insight into the broader inefficiencies within Nigeria’s food supply chain—including high levels of post-harvest spoilage and food adulteration, which cost the country trillions of Naira annually.
Founding MyFoodAngels
These insights became the foundation for the creation of MyFoodAngels, originally launched under the name Mile12MarketWoman. The platform was designed to bridge the gap between farmers, markets, and consumers by leveraging technology to streamline food access.
Over time, the brand incorporated digital tools to enhance the user experience. Among its features is an AI-powered recommendation engine, which suggests meal options based on the ingredients users already have, helping to reduce household waste and encourage healthier eating habits.
Social impact and business growth
MyFoodAngels gained further visibility during the COVID-19 lockdown, when the platform organised food drives that supported over 1,000 low-income families. This community-focused approach has remained part of the brand’s identity.
According to the company, MyFoodAngels recorded a turnover of N20 million (about $13,000) within its first 18 months and built a user base of more than 1,000 customers, including households, restaurants, and small food businesses.
In 2023, Olapeju Umah was shortlisted as one of seven Nigerian women for the Aurora Tech Award, an international accolade that recognises women-led tech startups globally. She continues to lead the venture with a focus on building a technology-driven food distribution ecosystem. While the platform aims to address everyday urban food challenges, it also seeks to contribute to long-term improvements in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
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