Opportunity in war-torn Libya: The food delivery app empowering women

By Nell Lewis, CNN

Updated 1125 GMT (1925 HKT) August 20, 2018

Fatima Nasser set up the food delivery app Yummy while studying English translation studies at the University of Sabha, Libya. "Running a business and studying and trying to graduate, it's quite stressful sometimes," she says.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo
Fatima Nasser set up the food delivery app Yummy while studying English translation studies at the University of Sabha, Libya. "Running a business and studying and trying to graduate, it's quite stressful sometimes," she says.
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Nasser founded Yummy alongside Aziza Adam. As winners of the Enjazi Startup competition, they traveled to London -- where they took this selfie -- to visit companies, startup centers, and to meet experts in the field. It was the first time Nasser had traveled outside of the Middle East.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo
Nasser founded Yummy alongside Aziza Adam. As winners of the Enjazi Startup competition, they traveled to London -- where they took this selfie -- to visit companies, startup centers, and to meet experts in the field. It was the first time Nasser had traveled outside of the Middle East.
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Yummy delivers homemade food, cooked from the comfort of women's own kitchens. This way, it helps women find work in a society where women working is not the norm. These chocolate-covered dates are available to order on the Yummy app.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo
Yummy delivers homemade food, cooked from the comfort of women's own kitchens. This way, it helps women find work in a society where women working is not the norm. These chocolate-covered dates are available to order on the Yummy app.
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Libya's currency crisis during the civil war meant that men could no longer support their families on a single salary. Women were desperate to find an alternative income, while in the safety of their own homes -- so a trend for home-cooking began. This photograph shows a selection of popular appetizers.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo
Libya's currency crisis during the civil war meant that men could no longer support their families on a single salary. Women were desperate to find an alternative income, while in the safety of their own homes -- so a trend for home-cooking began. This photograph shows a selection of popular appetizers.
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Yummy gives women a platform to expand their business. It provides marketing, photo shoots, delivery, and helps them reach new customers. Above, is a chicken tart available to order.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo
Yummy gives women a platform to expand their business. It provides marketing, photo shoots, delivery, and helps them reach new customers. Above, is a chicken tart available to order.
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Nasser explains that in Libyan society, it is not always acceptable for women to start a business or communicate with men that are not their husband or family. Yummy acts as a middleman, meaning that women do not have to talk directly with male customers. Above, is a Mars Bar cake baked by a Yummy chef.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo
Nasser explains that in Libyan society, it is not always acceptable for women to start a business or communicate with men that are not their husband or family. Yummy acts as a middleman, meaning that women do not have to talk directly with male customers. Above, is a Mars Bar cake baked by a Yummy chef.
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Yummy has had an overwhelmingly positive response so far. After successfully trialing the app in the southwestern city of Sabha with 20 chefs, Nasser says she now has 300 cooks ready to start work when the app launches this month in Benghazi and Tripoli. These irresistible strawberry and chocolate cheesecakes will be on the menu.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo
Yummy has had an overwhelmingly positive response so far. After successfully trialing the app in the southwestern city of Sabha with 20 chefs, Nasser says she now has 300 cooks ready to start work when the app launches this month in Benghazi and Tripoli. These irresistible strawberry and chocolate cheesecakes will be on the menu.
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Yummy is like a Libyan Deliveroo or UberEats, except it has to contend with the extra challenges of working in a war-torn country. Carjacking and internet blackouts are just some of the issues Nasser has to consider in her business plan.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo
Yummy is like a Libyan Deliveroo or UberEats, except it has to contend with the extra challenges of working in a war-torn country. Carjacking and internet blackouts are just some of the issues Nasser has to consider in her business plan.
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The app offers traditional Libyan dishes as well as global cuisine. These are kibbeh, a Middle Eastern specialty that usually contain meat and seasonings.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo
The app offers traditional Libyan dishes as well as global cuisine. These are kibbeh, a Middle Eastern specialty that usually contain meat and seasonings.
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Kunafa is a traditional Arab dessert made with a sugar-soaked noodle-type pastry. It is often topped with crushed pistachios, but this one has added Nutella to the mixer.
Photos: War-torn Libya's answer to Deliveroo