…as Nigerian fast-casual restaurant brings unique, health-focused
…African-inspired dining experience to America
Nuli, a first-of-its kind health-forward, fast-casual restaurant showcasing African superfoods and locally grown produce, officially opened its doors in the United States with a grand celebration at its first U.S. location inside The Square food hall, 1850 K Street NW, Washington D.C.
The grand opening event marked a significant milestone for Nuli’s founder and CEO, Ada Osakwe, a celebrated Nigerian entrepreneur and investor whose mission has always been to transform the way the world experiences African food.
“My plan for Nuli was never to remain only in Nigeria”, Osakwe said in her remarks. “From the very beginning in Abuja, where we opened our first store in 2015, my dream was simple yet audacious: to present indigenously-grown fresh produce, grown by smallholder farmers, with pride and excellence—first to Nigerian consumers, then to the world.”
The event drew distinguished guests from across government, business, and international development, who gathered to celebrate this bold moment for Nigerian entrepreneurship on a global stage.
The Special Guest of Honour, Olawale Edun, Honourable Minister of Finance of Nigeria and Coordinating Minister of the Economy was represented by Sanyade Okoli, Special Adviser to Nigeria’s President on Finance & the Economy.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Ndiamé Diop, World Bank’s Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa; Arunma Oteh, Oxford University Academic Scholar and Former Director General Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Bolaji Balogun, CEO, Chapel Hill Denham; Ndidi Nwuneli, President, ONE; Aloysius Ordu, Member, Monetary Policy Committee, Central Bank of Nigeria; Nathalie Akon, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Division Director for the West Africa Gulf of Guinea; Dr. Kingsley Obiora, Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, among many others.
The Nuli D.C. concept introduces American residents and visitors to a fresh, nutrition-forward take on African-inspired cuisine through farm-fresh meals and beverages filled with Africa’s bold flavours and nutritious superfood ingredients.
Beyond the Company’s Nigerian roots, the Nuli D.C. menu is influenced by culinary traditions across Africa’s 54 countries, paying homage to its rich diversity. From the Mediterranean North, spreading across Morocco to Tunisia, to the Indian-influenced Eastern countries of Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania, Nuli also reveals the confluence of cultures on the continent, celebrating our inherent connectedness with the rest of the world.
African-grown crops like Fonio, Moringa, Cassava, Hibiscus, Egusi and Baobab, can be found throughout the menu, ensuring these nutrient-dense, climate-resilient indigenous crops, sourced directly from smallholder farmers in Africa, are presented to an international customer base, showcasing Africa’s agricultural value chains, creating dignified jobs, and inspiring healthier food choices at a global scale.
Speaking about Nuli’s purpose, Osakwe shared, “There is an urgency to ensure that Africa’s economic diversification and export competitiveness is amplified.
Through Nuli, we are not only enhancing economic opportunities, but we are also changing narratives on what African brand excellence means in our world.”
Osakwe emphasized how the inaugural Washington D.C. location represents more than just an expansion, but also serves as a symbol of patient execution, nearly ten years in the making.
She expressed gratitude for the critical support she received from the Nigerian Embassy of the United States, particularly the former U.S Consular General as well as the U.S. Counselor for Commercial Affairs who facilitated Nuli’s participation at the Select USA conference in D.C. in 2024.
The event’s atmosphere was vibrant, elegant, and purposeful. Guests mingled over Nuli’s signature Africa Magic Jollof rice bowls, Fonio jollof bowls, Suya chicken wings, Couscous, Cassava naan bread wraps, and Nuli’s signature coldpressed juices, including Zobo.
Nuli D.C. reflects Ada Osakwe’s vision of transforming African crops into the next generation of global superfoods. What began as a small juice company in Lagos has evolved into an international lifestyle brand showcasing nutrient-rich indigenous African ingredients such as Fonio, Moringa, Cassava, and Baobab.
Conversations centered around the power of African entrepreneurship, the importance of sustainable food systems, and the rising global appetite for authentic African cuisine.
The atmosphere was both celebratory and deeply inspiring, as Nuli’s story became a living example of what’s possible when purpose meets focused execution.
Throughout the evening, guests shared in the joy of this milestone moment. Conversations centered around the power of African entrepreneurship, the importance of sustainable food systems, and the rising global appetite for authentic African cuisine.
The atmosphere was both celebratory and deeply inspiring, as Nuli’s story became a living example of what’s possible when purpose meets passion.
Nuli represents more than a business expansion; it is a bridge between continents, connecting African farmers to global consumers through food that is healthy and sustainable. The company’s expansion to the United States comes at a time when global conversations about food security, climate action, and inclusive growth are more urgent than ever.
By championing indigenous ingredients and empowering local farmers, the brand offers a model of how African-led innovation can nourish both people and the planet at scale. Nuli is open to the public at The Square, 1850 K Street NW, Washington D.C., operating Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Nuli makes fresh, healthy foods accessible and convenient for urban consumers. Their mission is to energize healthier lifestyles with better nutrition using only locally grown farm produce and African superfoods. Through their fast-casual outlets, Nuli celebrates Africa’s unique culture and heritage with the regions’ diverse array of nutrient-rich superfoods.
The unique menu features customizable bowls, salads, and wraps, alongside cold-pressed juices, and smoothies. Nuli D.C. is open for operations at The Square, located at 1850 K Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20006. Learn more at www.nuliusa.com. Follow on Instagram at @nuliusa for updates.
Ada Osakwe is a Nigeria-based entrepreneur and investor and serves as a non-executive Board Director on six (6) local and international-based Boards. For over 20 years, she has developed deep expertise and a unique blend of public and private sector experiences, starting in investment banking, development finance, and private equity, before moving on to public service and then entrepreneurship.
She is the founder of Agrolay, a principal investment firm that has made angel investments in 19 early-stage high-growth African companies and Nuli Foods, a restaurant chain with 7 locations in Lagos, Nigeria and Washington, D.C.
Ada is a strong advocate for entrepreneurship finance support, youth and women empowerment in business. She serves as an Independent Non-executive Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), where she Chairs the Finance & Investment Committee.
She is a Non-executive director on the Boards of Delta 40 (Chair), One Acre Fund (Chair); the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) (Chair, Programs Committee & Grant Review Committee); the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF); and IMC Plantations Nigeria. She serves on the Advisory Investment Committee of the FASA fund (Financing for Agri-SMEs in Africa).
She is a Senior Advisor to the African Development Bank’s Vice President, driving the establishment of the Nigeria Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB).
Osakwe is the Forbes Africa Businesswoman of the year 2021.
She is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow. Consecutively, from 2016 to 2021, Choiseul/Forbes Africa listed her as one of the Top 100 Africans contributing to economic impact on the Continent.
She has also been a recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year and Achiever in Agriculture Awards and was on the Forbes 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa list.
