Source: Xinhua News Agency
ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- On a sunny morning in the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, Asnak Nigusi wore an orange uniform and carried a backpack and pedaled his bicycle to a nearby restaurant to pick up food ordered online by customers.
Nicusi is a member of the Orange Riders Regiment in Addis Ababa. He and about 400 young people are cycling to change the way food is delivered.
Delivery rider Asnak Nigusi picks up food for delivery from a partner restaurant in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 19. Photo by Michael Teverde
The young Ethiopians work for beU delivery, a takeaway company invested by Chinese companies, and provide delivery services to nearly all of the city's major restaurants in more than a dozen districts of the capital.
On July 19, delivery rider Asnak Nigusi processed orders through a mobile app. Photo by Michael Teverde
"Before, cycling was just my personal hobby, and I never thought I could get a job with it." Nigusi said in a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency.
Ethiopia is a populous country in Africa, but takeaway services are still a novelty. More and more new companies are scrambling to break into this untapped market, and the country's takeaway companies currently serve mainly in the capital and its surrounding areas.
A restaurant in Addis Ababa, photographed on July 19. Photo by Michael Teverde
Zheng Hao, founder and CEO of beU, saw the huge demand for food delivery services in Ethiopia and across the African continent and founded the company in June 2021.
"Our delivery times are not affected by traffic jams and the cost is not affected by the price of oil because we mainly use bicycles, not motorcycles or cars." Zheng Hao told reporters.
Delivery riders Asnak Nigusi and Meracuse de Saleni deliver food on the streets of Addis Ababa on July 19. Photo by Michael Teverde
Bill Han Gebremeting, a restaurant owner who works with beU, believes that fast delivery speeds and a growing customer base are the basis for the restaurant's cooperation with the takeaway platform, "We have been working with beU for almost a year. Our meals are not limited by geography and can be served to a wider customer base. He said.
Another restaurateur, Betjab, stresses: "BeU's smooth delivery service makes it easy for us to reach our target customers. ”
On July 19, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, restaurant owner Bet Yabu was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency. Photo by Michael Teverde
BeU's Regional Manager for Ethiopia, Fikreyab Hubbrate, said that as the company continues to grow, employees in various departments have also gained more opportunities for development. "The company provides a free and creative working environment for young Ethiopians, giving them more room to grow," Ficreab said.
Meracú de Saleni has been with beU for almost a year. Since becoming a food delivery rider, he has become more and more productive and able to provide more financial support to his family. "I'm paid a good salary and I often get bonuses because of my excellent job. In addition to meeting my daily expenses, I also save some of my income in case I need it. ”
Food delivery businesses in Africa, similar to e-commerce businesses, are facing challenges such as internet connectivity, payment gateways, and logistical barriers compared to the rest of the world. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, only African countries such as Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia and South Africa currently have more online shoppers than 8 per cent of their total populations, while in most African countries it is less than 5 per cent.
beU plans to expand into Tanzania and Uganda this year to further refine its existing ordering, distribution and optimization systems. Zheng Hao said that he hopes to build beU into Africa's first takeaway service company within two years, making it a super application covering a variety of online to offline services. (Editing: Indifferent; Editors: Cheng Dayu, Ma Xiaoyan)
Xinhua News Agency International Department Africa Branch co-produced
Produced by Xinhua News Agency's International Communication Integration Platform