News

May 18, 2025

My mission is to make food delivery accessible for everyone in Owerri – Favour Oranekwu

My mission is to make food delivery accessible for everyone in Owerri – Favour Oranekwu

In Owerri, Imo State’s lively capital known for its rich culture and bustling streets, a new wave of convenience is changing how people get their meals. Leading this charge is Favour Oranekwu, the young visionary behind FavGrab, Owerri’s first on-demand food delivery app. With the launch of a unique USSD ordering system, Oranekwu is ensuring that everyone in the city—whether a trader, worker, or resident—can enjoy quick, affordable food delivery.

FavGrab started with a simple idea: bring Owerri’s favorite foods closer to its people. Oranekwu noticed that many in the city struggled to access reliable food options, especially during busy days, late nights, or power outages. Unlike bigger cities with global delivery apps, Owerri needed a homegrown solution. So, he created FavGrab, blending speed, affordability, and the flavors of local kitchens to serve the city’s diverse residents.

What makes FavGrab special is its connection to Owerri’s food scene. By partnering with popular local spots like Earlz Kitchen, Streetfood by Longs, and Mangrove Delicious, the app delivers everything from jollof rice to shawarma right to your doorstep. It’s not just a service—it’s a celebration of the city’s culinary heart, making sure every bite feels like home.

On Saturday, May 11, 2025, FavGrab took a bold step forward with its USSD ordering system, a first in the region. By dialing 82482212#, anyone with a basic mobile phone can browse menus, order meals, and pay—no smartphone or internet required. “My goal is to make food delivery easy for every person in Owerri,” Oranekwu shared. “With USSD, we’re bringing convenience to everyone, even those without fancy phones or steady data.”

This move is a game-changer in a country where over 200 million people use mobile phones, but less than half have smartphones or reliable internet. In Owerri, where network issues and power cuts are common, USSD makes food ordering as simple as sending a text. It’s a familiar tool, much like mobile banking codes, ensuring no one is left out.

FavGrab isn’t just helping customers—it’s boosting local businesses too. Small food vendors, many new to online sales, are seeing more orders and reaching new customers through the app. FavGrab handles deliveries and marketing, giving these businesses a chance to grow and thrive in a digital world.

The road hasn’t been easy. Owerri’s traffic jams, early payment glitches, and the complex work of building a USSD system tested Oranekwu’s team. Negotiating with telecoms and adapting to local challenges took months, but their focus on community-driven solutions kept them grounded. Unlike global apps that struggle to fit Owerri’s unique needs, FavGrab’s local approach is winning hearts.

As of May 17, 2025, FavGrab is growing fast, serving every corner of Owerri. Plans are in place to add voice-based ordering for the visually impaired and real-time USSD order tracking. Oranekwu also dreams of taking FavGrab to other southeastern cities, always keeping local needs first.

FavGrab is more than a food delivery app—it’s proof that innovation can work for everyone when it’s built with care and community in mind. In Owerri, Favour Oranekwu is making sure no one goes hungry, one meal at a time.