Kwikikarts, a fast-growing startup revolutionising mobile food delivery in Nigeria, is setting new benchmarks for the industry through innovative technology tailored to the unique challenges of the country’s urban centers.
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Founded in 2018 by Oluwafemi Lafua and Narcisse Egonu, the company has become a leader in the evolving food delivery space, garnering both local and international acclaim for its
groundbreaking solutions.

International Recognition at Kaplan Institute’s Pitch Tank In April this year, Kwikikarts made headlines when it clinched the grand prize of $30,000 at the prestigious Kaplan Institute’s Pitch Tank Competition in Chicago, United States. Organised annually by the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship, the competition highlights visionary student entrepreneurs from the Illinois Tech community who are creating innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Kwikikarts stood out for its mission to redefine mobile food delivery in Nigeria by leveraging cutting-edge technology. Its focus on addressing the unique challenges of Nigeria’s bustling cities earned it widespread praise.

“By harnessing the power of social media and technology, we facilitate seamless communication between customers and riders, offering a service similar to Uber Eats or DoorDash but uniquely tailored to Nigeria’s urban landscape,” explained Narcisse Egonu, Kwikikarts’ CTO.

Solving Urban Challenges with Innovation The inspiration for Kwikikarts came from Oluwafemi Lafua’s recognition of the growing demand for efficient food delivery services that could navigate the heavy traffic and infrastructure challenges of Nigerian cities.
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The startup employs motorbike riders adept at maneuvering through congested streets to ensure prompt delivery. Its progressive web app, which integrates with WhatsApp, has simplified the ordering process
for customers. Users can place orders, ask questions, and track deliveries via a familiar and user-friendly messaging interface. This approach has made Kwikikarts a favorite in Nigeria’s urban centers and a serious contender in the food delivery market.

A Milestone Moment
Winning the Kaplan Institute’s Pitch Tank Competition was a turning point for Kwikikarts. The $30,000 cash prize provided critical funding to scale operations and integrate advanced technologies.

“This recognition affirmed our vision and gave us the resources to improve our services,” said Oluwafemi Lafua, Kwikikarts’ CEO. “It’s a validation of the hard work our team has put into building a solution that truly meets the needs of Nigerians.”
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The Road Ahead
Buoyed by its recent success, Kwikikarts is looking to expand into other Nigerian cities and
enhance its platform with more advanced technology. Plans are already underway to transition
from a WhatsApp-based system to a comprehensive solution that incorporates chatbots for
real-time tracking and seamless communication.

“We envision a future where customers experience global-standard efficiency in food delivery,” said Narcisse Egonu. “Our goal is to stay at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that our users enjoy a smooth and convenient order-delivery experience.”

With its customer-centric approach, technology-driven solutions, and an ambitious roadmap, Kwikikarts is not only transforming food delivery in Nigeria but also setting an example for startups across Africa.
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