Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

A digital platform that connects Nigerian merchants with surplus perishable goods to consumers seeking affordable, fresh produce, reducing food waste and enhancing food accessibility

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Our project is a digital platform that bridges the gap between Nigerian merchants with surplus perishable goods and consumers seeking affordable, fresh produce. This solution empowers local merchants to efficiently sell their near-expiry goods, reducing waste and ensuring they still make a profit. Consumers benefit from access to high-quality produce at reduced prices, enhancing food accessibility and affordability. By fostering a direct connection between merchants and consumers, the platform supports local economies, promotes sustainability, and helps address the pressing issue of food waste in Nigeria.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Our digital platform addresses a critical problem in Nigeria: the significant waste of perishable goods and the challenge of food affordability for many consumers. Currently, local merchants often struggle to sell all their fresh produce before it spoils, leading to considerable losses and unnecessary waste. This not only affects the merchants’ livelihoods but also contributes to broader environmental issues. On the other side, many Nigerian consumers face rising food prices, making it difficult for them to access fresh, nutritious food. The high cost of living, coupled with economic disparities, means that a substantial portion of the population cannot afford to buy quality produce regularly, impacting their health and well-being. Our solution tackles these interconnected problems by creating a digital marketplace where merchants can quickly and easily sell their surplus perishable goods and consumers access to fresh produce at significantly lower prices

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

1). Reduction of Food Waste: Our platform significantly reduces the amount of perishable goods that go to waste by enabling merchants to sell surplus produce that is near expiry. This not only supports environmental sustainability by minimizing food waste but also ensures that the resources used to produce, transport, and store the food are not wasted. 2). Improved Food Accessibility and Affordability: Consumers gain access to fresh, nutritious food at reduced prices, addressing the challenge of high food costs and limited availability in many areas. This improves food security for low-income families and enhances the overall health and well-being of the community by making it easier to afford healthy food options. 3). Economic Empowerment of Local Merchants: Local merchants can efficiently sell their surplus perishable goods, ensuring they still make a profit instead of facing financial losses due to unsold stock.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

1. Consumers: These are individuals and families in Nigeria seeking affordable and quality produce. Insights into consumer behavior suggest a diverse group with varying income levels, emphasizing the importance of cost-effective alternatives in the face of rising food prices. Consumers may prioritize convenience, nutritional value, and environmentally conscious choices. Understanding their preferences and motivations is crucial for tailoring the platform to meet their needs effectively. 2. Merchants: The merchants are local businesses dealing with perishable goods like fruits and vegetables. Insights into merchant dynamics reveal a common challenge of unsold inventory and financial losses due to the perishable nature of their goods. Merchants, ranging from small market vendors to larger suppliers, are looking for efficient ways to reach a broader customer base and optimize their sales. Their participation in the digital platform is driven by the need for economic viability

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-04-05

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Eziamaka Michael - Product Designer & Founder - As the founder and lead of our startup, I bring a wealth of experience and a strong track record of success in the tech industry. I have won six hackathons, showcasing my ability to innovate and build effective solutions Victoria Favour - Chief Operating Officer - a known reputation as a skilled debater and outspoken leader. Her experience in debating has honed her communication and negotiation skills, making her adept at building relationships and partnerships. Daudu Yusuf - Fullstack Engineer -Yusuf brings a wealth of experience and technical expertise to the team. He has a proven track record, having competed in and won four hackathons alongside me. His extensive work experience in software development Temiye Akinyemi - Frontend Engineer -Yemi, our front-end developer, has a strong background in creating intuitive and engaging user interfaces. With a history of winning two hackathons with me and extensive work experience,

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

1). Affordable Food: By providing lower-cost food options, the platform helps reduce the financial burden on low-income households, contributing to poverty alleviation. 2). Increased Merchant Income: The additional revenue generated by merchants from selling surplus goods helps improve their economic stability and reduces poverty levels in the community.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

1). Improved Food Accessibility: By connecting consumers with affordable fresh produce, the platform directly addresses food insecurity, making nutritious food more accessible to low-income families. 2). Reduction in Food Waste: Reducing waste of perishable goods means more food is available for consumption, contributing to overall food security.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

3

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

1). Economic Empowerment: The platform enables local merchants to sell goods they might otherwise lose money on, improving their income and supporting their businesses. 2). Market Efficiency: By creating a more efficient marketplace, the platform supports economic activity and growth, particularly in the local food sector.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

1). Urban Food Security: As urban populations grow, ensuring access to affordable and fresh food becomes critical. Our platform supports sustainable urban food systems by reducing waste and enhancing food distribution efficiency. 2). Community Engagement: The platform fosters a sense of community by connecting local merchants and consumers, promoting sustainable and resilient urban communities.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

1). Minimizing Waste: Our platform promotes the sale of surplus perishable goods that would otherwise be discarded, fostering a culture of responsible consumption. 2). Efficient Resource Use: By ensuring that food products are used before they spoil, the platform helps optimize the resources invested in food production and distribution.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

In Nigeria, current methods for managing and distributing perishable goods rely predominantly on traditional markets, street vendors, supermarkets, and occasionally through discount sales. Local markets and vendors, where most people shop, face issues with inconsistent pricing and inefficient perishable goods management, leading to significant food wastage. Supermarkets provide better storage but are often less accessible due to higher prices and geographic limitations. Discount offers on nearly expired goods and the efforts of food banks help alleviate waste but are limited in scope and efficiency due to lack of structure and sufficient technological support.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

no, not at the moment