Foodtech refers to all technological innovations that revolve around food from the production stage to the service they offer. There are different arms of foodtech classified based on the service or solution they offer. Foodtech covers agtech which deals with enhancing agricultural processes, food science that deals with developing improved food products that are more nutritional and environmentally friendly.
Foodservice, retail, delivery are other foodtech branches. Foodtech startups evolve in any of the branches mentioned earlier.
In North Africa, foodtech is not prominent as it is in some other parts of Africa. Egypt is the only North African country with strong presence foodtech startups. In Algeria, there is a foodtech startup challenge that encourages startups in the food tech sector. The challenge focuses on food production which includes the food value chain and halieutics.
Here are the top five foodtech startups in North Africa in no particular order:
Ordera
The foodtech startup focuses on the indoor and pickup restaurant experience. It was founded in 2019 in Egypt. Though its service offering eliminates the waiting line for food. The startup started and experienced exponential growth due to COVID 19 protocols. Customers who make use of the service get daily coffee as a reward. For indoor restaurant ordering, the Ordera app is used to scan QR codes on the table to order and can be used to make payment of bills.
Mumm
The startup is founded in 2015 with its headquarter in Giza, Egypt. Its unique service offering makes it stand out in the foodtech sector. Mumm offers homemade foods to its customers on order within the allocated time. A customer goes to the startup website and locates the nearest Mumm kitchen to lace their order. The chef in the chosen area receives the order and cooks the food. The food is delivered within an hour and a half if it is a single meal.
If an order is a bulk or frozen food order, it might take a longer time to deliver. In this case, it is delivered in 24 hours.
Elegate
The startup does not directly involve in food, instead, it provides software restaurants use to receive orders straight from social media platforms or websites. Elegate takes restaurant business to prospective customers where they spend their time. Orders can be taken on Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and the website. The startup also provides order management systems for businesses that signed u with them. It was established in 2018, and is located in Egypt.
Tekeya
The startup is located in Egypt and was established in 2019. It provides a platform where hotels, restaurants, or grocery stores can donate the surplus to charity. Tekeya platform also sells foodstuffs delivered to customers’ doorsteps.
Elmenus
Users can leave reviews about restaurants on their websites. The restaurants can also place advertisements on elmenus and pay commissions on any order they get through the platform.
The startup was established in 2011 and is located in Egypt. It’s a platform that helps discover food online. Customers browse through various foods restaurants offer based on their cuisine, mood, dish name, and location. The customer can order or go to the location after making reservations.
