Today we’d like to introduce you to Adenike Ogundare.
Adenike, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Adenike “Nikki” Ogundare, and my journey into entrepreneurship really started with something very simple — food, culture, and community.
I grew up with a deep love for cooking and the traditions of African cuisine. Food has always been more than just something to eat for me. It represents family, celebration, and connection. When I first came to the United States, I realized that many people had never experienced authentic African food, and that inspired me to begin sharing the flavors I grew up with.
Like many entrepreneurs, my journey started small. I began by cooking for family gatherings, community events, and small catering orders. The response was incredible. People were curious about the food, the spices, and the culture behind it. That encouragement pushed me to think bigger.
Over time, that passion grew into Africaboro Restaurant and Africa International Market in Statesboro, Georgia. My vision was not just to open a restaurant, but to create a space where people could experience African culture through food, hospitality, and community. Today, Africaboro has become a place where people come to try dishes like jollof rice, egusi, suya, fufu, and many other traditional meals that represent the rich diversity of African cuisine.
Alongside the restaurant, I’ve also been developing Mama Ash Herbal Wellness, a line inspired by natural wellness traditions and plant-based remedies. My goal is to share knowledge about herbs, wellness, and holistic living with the community.
Entrepreneurship hasn’t always been easy. There were moments of uncertainty, long hours, and challenges that come with building something from the ground up. But every challenge has strengthened my determination to build something meaningful — not just for myself, but for the community.
Today, I continue to grow Africaboro through catering, food trucks, cultural events, and community partnerships, while also working on educational projects like teaching others how to start food businesses and explore African culinary traditions.
For me, this journey is about more than business. It’s about representation, culture, and creating opportunities. I want people to experience the beauty of African food and traditions, and I hope my story encourages others to pursue their dreams, even if they start small.
And in many ways, this is just the beginning
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way
Like most entrepreneurial journeys, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Building something from the ground up always comes with challenges, especially when you’re introducing something new to a community.
One of the biggest challenges was educating people about African cuisine. When I first started, many people in the area had never heard of dishes like jollof rice, egusi, suya, or fufu. So part of my job wasn’t just cooking — it was also teaching, explaining, and inviting people to experience a culture they may not have known much about before.
Another challenge was simply starting a business with limited resources. Like many small business owners, there were long hours, financial risks, and moments where I had to wear many hats — chef, manager, marketer, and problem-solver all at once.
There were also the normal struggles that come with running a restaurant — staffing, supply costs, and keeping everything running smoothly day after day. The food industry can be very demanding, and success requires consistency, patience, and resilience.
But through those challenges, I’ve learned that every obstacle is also an opportunity to grow. Each difficulty has helped me become a stronger entrepreneur and a better leader.
What keeps me going is the support from the community and seeing people fall in love with African food and culture for the first time. Those moments make all the hard work worth it.
Entrepreneurship is not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding when you’re building something you truly believe in.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Africaboro continues to grow, and one of the exciting developments for our brand is our Africaboro Food Truck, which is now open and operating. We are currently preparing to expand our food truck presence into Savannah and neighboring towns, bringing authentic African street food directly to more communities across the region. The food truck allows us to introduce dishes like jollof rice bowls, suya, puff puff, egusi with fufu, and other favorites to people who may not yet have experienced African cuisine. It also gives us the flexibility to serve festivals, college campuses, community events, and pop-up locations.
This expansion is part of a larger vision for Africaboro — to make African food more accessible while sharing the culture, flavors, and hospitality that come with it. Seeing the brand grow from small catering beginnings to a restaurant, market, and now a mobile food truck reaching new cities has been incredibly rewarding.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, I’m very excited about the future of Africaboro. One of my biggest goals is to expand beyond Statesboro and open a location in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah has a vibrant food scene and a diverse community, and I believe it would be a wonderful place to introduce even more people to authentic African cuisine.
In preparation for that growth, we have already launched the Africaboro Food Truck, which will be traveling to Savannah and surrounding towns, serving our signature dishes and connecting with new communities. The food truck allows us to build relationships, participate in events, and bring African food directly to people who may have never experienced it before.
I also look forward to expanding our catering services, cultural food experiences, and African market offerings, while continuing to share the traditions and flavors behind the food we serve.
Beyond food, I’m passionate about creating opportunities for others. In the future, I hope to develop training programs and resources that help aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to start their own food businesses, especially within African cuisine and cultural food spaces.
Ultimately, my vision is for Africaboro to continue growing as a brand that represents African culture, hospitality, and community, not only in Statesboro but throughout Georgia and beyond.
Pricing:
- Meat pie $5
- • Fufu & Soup Meals (Egusi, Okra, $19
- Dishes (Oxtail, Goat, etc.): usually $18 – $22
Contact Info:
