The Bicycle Economy: Lessons from FanIce
The Business Model That Never Gets Old
In the 90s and early 2000s, many children in Kaduna (and across Nigeria) knew the sound of a bell followed by “FanIce, cold ice cream!
It wasn’t just about ice cream. It was a masterclass in low-cost distribution.
FanIce didn’t build hundreds of shops. They built a network of bicycle vendors who could reach every corner of the city, from government quarters to the smallest side streets in Unguwan Rimi.
That was micro-mobility before it was a trend.
Today, as we talk about delivery services, last-mile logistics, and street food entrepreneurship, the FanIce bicycle model still offers lessons:
> Low Overhead – No rent, minimal storage, small inventory cycles.
> Brand Visibility – Every street becomes your billboard.
> Scalable Workforce – Train more riders, grow your market.
We don’t always need to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes, the wheel just needs a fresh tyre and a better bell.
What other “old” Nigerian business models do you think are still relevant today?
After a week sick break, I was invited to the debut of the Urban Trybe hangout (still searching the handle ) 😂😂 so I made a vlog out of it to continue my count commitment count. Thank you to the people who checked up on me to know why I took a break, it shows that you all see what I do and it has given me the needed push to finish this beautiful journey.
I feel super pumped up!!! Thank you to the team for the invite fc @beeebphotography
Back to the count!!!
WHO ARE YOU?
Many of us begin by listing our earthly labels – our name, age, nationality, ethnicity, profession, and relationship status. But the fundamental question remains: Who are you?
Happy Sunday
