Introduction
The demand for food delivery services in Nigeria is booming, fueled by a growing middle class, busy lifestyles, and mobile-first users. Apps like Glovo, Jumia Food, and Bolt Food have transformed how Nigerians order meals, groceries, and essentials. But there’s still room for innovative startups and entrepreneurs to enter the space.
If you’re thinking of building a food delivery app like Glovo, this guide from Appfur Nigeria walks you through the process — from idea to launch.
Why Build a Food Delivery App in Nigeria?
- Massive Market Potential: Nigeria’s food delivery market is projected to grow rapidly with Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt leading the trend.
- Smartphone Penetration: Over 50% of Nigerians now use smartphones — and that number is rising.
- Digital Payments Growth: Fintech adoption is fueling seamless in-app transactions.
- On-Demand Lifestyle: Urban consumers increasingly prefer the convenience of doorstep delivery.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Food App Like Glovo
1. Validate Your Idea
Start by understanding your target market. Are you focusing on meals, groceries, or both? Will you operate in one city or multiple regions? Conduct surveys, analyze competitors, and identify gaps in the current offerings.
2. Choose the Right Business Model
There are three common models:
- Order-Only (like early Glovo): You list restaurants, and they handle delivery.
- Order & Delivery: You manage the delivery fleet.
- Fully Integrated: You own the kitchens, drivers, and platform (like Cloud Kitchens).
Choose the one that fits your resources and vision.
3. Define the Core Features
Here’s a breakdown of the app components:
User App:
- User registration/login
- Real-time restaurant listings
- Search & filter by food type or restaurant
- Order tracking
- In-app payments
- Ratings & reviews
- Promo codes
Delivery Rider App:
- Rider login/profile
- Order notification
- Navigation and delivery tracking
- Earnings dashboard
Restaurant Dashboard:
- Menu management
- Order notifications
- Delivery coordination
- Analytics
Admin Panel:
- User & vendor management
- Commission settings
- Order monitoring
- Reports and analytics
4. Design the App (UI/UX)
Great design is critical. Your app must be:
- Visually appealing
- Easy to use (even for low-tech users)
- Fast and responsive
At Appfur, we craft UI/UX that keeps users engaged and drives conversions.
5. Choose the Right Tech Stack
A modern tech stack for a food delivery app includes:
- Frontend: Flutter (cross-platform for Android & iOS)
- Backend: Node.js or Laravel
- Database: PostgreSQL or MongoDB
- Payments: Paystack, Flutterwave
- Maps & Location: Google Maps API
- Notifications: Firebase or OneSignal
We use Flutter at Appfur for cost-effective, high-performance mobile apps.
6. Develop the MVP
Start with a Minimum Viable Product that covers:
- Core ordering functionality
- Delivery integration
- Admin dashboard
- Payment gateway
This lets you test the market and iterate quickly.
7. Launch & Market Your App
Use a mix of:
- Social media marketing
- Influencer partnerships
- Google Ads and App Store Optimization (ASO)
- Referral incentives
- Strategic partnerships with local restaurants
We help our clients at Appfur with full go-to-market support.
8. Scale and Improve
After launch, monitor:
- App performance
- Customer feedback
- Order fulfillment rate
- Delivery time
Keep updating features and expand to more cities as demand grows.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Food Delivery App in Nigeria?
At Appfur Nigeria, building a full-featured Glovo-style app costs between ₦7 million and ₦25 million, depending on:
- Scope (MVP or full-scale)
- Number of platforms (Android, iOS, Web)
- Custom features
- Delivery logistics integration
We also offer startup-friendly phased development plans.
Why Choose Appfur Nigeria?
- Proven expertise in food, logistics, and on-demand delivery apps
- Agile development with weekly progress updates
- UI/UX that converts and delights users
- Post-launch support for scaling your app
- Affordable pricing for Nigerian startups and founders
Ready to Build Your Food App?
Let Appfur Nigeria help you bring your idea to life — from concept to code.
Get a free consultation:
Visit appfur.com
Email: hello@appfur.com
Let’s build something that delivers results.
We design and build high-quality, scalable mobile apps tailored to your needs.
Let’s talk! Message us on WhatsApp now: Click Here
Your next big app starts here!
