KARACHI: A growing wave of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan is transforming home kitchens into thriving online food businesses, powered by platforms like foodpanda. With nearly 6,000 home chefs registered, 75% of them women, the trend marks a breakthrough in financial inclusion and digital participation for women in the country.
Single mother Anjum Nida Rahman, founder of Lo-Kal Bites, has built a popular gluten- and sugar-free brand serving Karachi and Lahore, recording 42% growth in six months. Similarly, Nazish Rehman scaled her business Kausey Extreme from one weekly order to handling 50 orders daily, expanding her menu to over 22 dishes. For many women, these ventures represent their first independent income.
Foodpanda Pakistan CEO Muntaqa Peracha said the platform has deliberately positioned itself to empower women by offering visibility and reach without heavy marketing costs. The company handled $1.2 billion in economic activity in FY24 and connects millions of customers in 35 cities. However, critics argue its 30%+ commission and 10% marketing fees cut into already thin margins for home chefs.
Despite challenges, women entrepreneurs credit the platform with opening access to new markets and financial independence in a country where women’s workforce participation remains just 24%. Analysts highlight the broader significance: with Pakistan losing an estimated $17 billion annually due to women’s digital exclusion, such initiatives represent critical opportunities to unlock economic potential and drive inclusive growth.
