How she does it: Racheal Ikulagba
Rachael Ikulagba. Photo: The Malta Chamber
When Racheal Ikulagba was home after having her second child, she wished there was a place that offered wholesome, healthy food with a touch of home. Fast-forward a few years and she made it happen when she set up Kitans Food, a venture that brings the vibrant flavours of African cuisine and cosmopolitan snacks to the Maltese community. She talks about her journey and how she is now supporting other women grow their own businesses.
Tell us a bit about you and what brought you to Malta.
I’m Racheal Ikulagba, originally from Nigeria, and I’ve been living in Malta for the past five years. I moved here to join my spouse, who was residing in Malta on account of professional growth. Since then, Malta has become home to our growing family, and we are blessed with two wonderful children.
In my professional journey, entrepreneurship has been a central theme. While I have been privileged to work in academic research with a focus on environmental science and sustainable development, my career has evolved into the project development space, particularly across initiatives related to migration, media, and community development. Entrepreneurship remains the constant thread running through all my endeavours.
Family, faith, and community are core to who I am, and Malta’s unique blend of cultures and opportunities has played a significant role in shaping our journey as a family of four.
“We specialise in offering authentic Nigerian cuisine in Malta… I wanted to create a service that could help people manage their time better without sacrificing quality.”
Tell us about your business.
My business is called Kitans Food, and we specialise in offering authentic Nigerian cuisine in Malta.
The idea for Kitans Food emerged from a need to provide convenient, nutritious meals in larger quantities, particularly for those with busy lifestyles. I wanted to create a service that could help people manage their time better without sacrificing quality.
We provide nourishing cooked meals and finger foods in quantities that can be stored and shared among at least four adults. It can be more depending on request, but that is the benchmark.
By offering bulk purchases, we help our customers reduce costs and ease the stress of meal preparation. As much as possible, we source our ingredients from local farmers and reduce costs by purchasing from wholesalers, ensuring fresh, high-quality meals at an affordable price. We also consider personal dietary needs to offer a customised experience for each client
How long did it take you to action your idea?
Bringing Kitans Food to life took about three years, and I’m still evolving and refining the processes and structures to ensure we meet the needs of our customers effectively.
Several obstacles came up along the way. One of the main challenges was navigating the regulatory requirements for food businesses in Malta. Understanding the necessary licenses, health regulations, and food safety standards took time and careful attention.
A variety of food offered at Kitans Food. Photos: Instagram
Additionally, sourcing quality ingredients consistently while managing costs was another hurdle. I had to establish relationships with local farmers and wholesalers to ensure that I could offer fresh ingredients at competitive prices.
Lastly, building brand awareness and reaching potential customers in a new market was challenging, especially as a newcomer. However, through networking, social media engagement, and community involvement, I gradually overcame these challenges and began to grow the business.
What were the main motivations?
My main motivation for starting Kitans Food stemmed from my personal experience during my first pregnancy. I faced a medical emergency, and since my husband was my only family in Malta at the time, he stayed with me at the hospital.
When we returned home, we found ourselves in need of a service like Kitans Food is offering, but unfortunately, it didn’t exist. This situation made me miss home and family even more, leading to my "light bulb moment".
“Reaching potential customers in a new market was challenging, especially as a newcomer. However, through networking, social media engagement, and community involvement, I gradually overcame these challenges and began to grow the business.”
As I conducted market research, I discovered that many people were seeking a service like this as an alternative to the traditional restaurant model. I realised there was a significant demand for convenient, nourishing meals that could be shared and stored, especially among busy professionals and families.
This insight reinforced my determination to create Kitans Food, a service that would not only address these needs, but also bring the flavors of home to the community.
How did you go about setting it up?
At the time, it didn’t seem like I was following a specific process. In fact, I would say I didn’t fully understand what I was doing. I was just instinctively taking steps toward my goal.
Then I heard about the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) through my network in the entrepreneurial space. I came across a sponsored ad on Facebook by The Malta Chamber in collaboration with the US Embassy about the programme. I saw it as an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, especially in the context of navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship as a migrant in Europe.
Racheal shares her inspiring journey with an audience at The Malta Chamber.
The AWE experience was transformative for me. It not only provided practical business skills but also encouraged me to think critically about my business model and identify areas for growth. In particular, it helped me refine the direction of Kitans Food by providing tools to improve my business strategy, visibility, and customer engagement.
The mentorship and networking opportunities were invaluable, allowing me to connect with experienced professionals who offered guidance on navigating the local business landscape in Malta. Overall, the programme enhanced my confidence in running a business and has been a stepping stone in expanding Kitans Food.
What steps did you take?
After completing the AWE programme, I realised that the actions I took were foundational steps in setting up Kitans Food: I began by researching the local food market to understand customer preferences and identify gaps in the availability of authentic African cuisine.
I described my vision, target market, menu offerings, and financial projections. This plan served as a roadmap for my business. I formed relationships with local farmers and wholesalers to source fresh ingredients while keeping costs manageable, which was crucial for ensuring the quality of my meals.
I researched the regulatory landscape. I took the time to understand the necessary licenses, health regulations, and food safety standards required to operate a food business in Malta.
A variety of food offered at Kitans Food. Photos: Instagram
I then went on to designing a logo and setting up social media profiles to engage with potential customers. I started talking to people in my community about the idea, sharing what I was capable of doing and made sure to present my products at all given opportunities.
Finally, I launched Kitans Food, starting small and gradually expanding my offerings based on customer feedback and demand.
What is the situation today?
Today, while Kitans Food may not yet be at the stage I envision, I am proud of how far we have come since I first commercialised the idea. The business is thriving and continuously evolving. We have built a loyal customer base that values the quality and authenticity of our dishes, and we’ve expanded our menu offerings while refining our processes to improve both efficiency and customer satisfaction.
I’m also actively involved in community events to promote the brand and raise awareness of Nigerian cuisine in Malta. The journey has been challenging at times, but equally rewarding, and I am genuinely excited about the future possibilities for growth and collaboration within the local food scene.
What advice would you have for others thinking of starting their business?
My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is that we may not have everything figured out—after all, you can’t predict what will happen before the end of the day—but we wake up, show up, and approach each day with the hope that it will be a good one.
Don’t let self-doubt or fear hold you back from realising the vision in your heart. Your contribution to the world is part of a bigger picture, and that picture is incomplete without your unique impact.
“We may not have everything figured out—after all, you can’t predict what will happen before the end of the day—but we wake up, show up, and approach each day with the hope that it will be a good one. Don’t let self-doubt or fear hold you back from realizing the vision in your heart.”
Have a clear vision, but remain adaptable. Don’t be afraid to take the first step, even if you don’t have everything perfectly laid out. Conduct thorough market research to understand your audience and validate your idea.
Building a strong network of mentors and fellow entrepreneurs will provide you with valuable insights and support along the way. Most importantly, embrace the learning process—every challenge is an opportunity to grow, refine your approach, and move closer to your goals.
Have you helped others since?
Yes, I have been actively involved in helping and guiding others in the entrepreneurial space, particularly women and migrants. I firmly believe in the power of sharing knowledge and experiences to uplift one another.
“I’ve learned to divide my day into segments to ensure that each area of my life gets the attention it needs. Of course, there are days when things feel chaotic, frustrating, and overwhelming, but I remind myself to take it one step at a time and focus on what’s most important at that moment.”
Whether through informal mentorship, participating in community workshops, or sharing insights on social media, I am committed to supporting those who are starting their own businesses.
It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness others discover their paths and succeed, and I’m always open to sharing my journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Tell me about what it is like juggling family and work as a foreigner living in Malta.
Balancing family and work as a foreigner in Malta have been very challenging, but with God’s help, we continue to navigate each day with hope and a sense of purpose.
Being far from extended family means that my husband and I rely heavily on each other for support. We’ve learned to manage everything between us, often making decisions based on what’s best for our family in the moment.
Time management is key. I’ve learned to divide my day into segments to ensure that each area of my life gets the attention it needs. Of course, there are days when things feel chaotic, frustrating, and overwhelming, but I remind myself to take it one step at a time and focus on what’s most important at that moment.
Ultimately, making it work comes down to prioritising. My family always comes first, but entrepreneurship gives me the opportunity to pursue my passion while still being present for them. It’s not easy, but I cherish this journey because it allows me to teach my children the value of resilience, hard work, and following their dreams.
How she does it…
We often look on at other people in awe and ask ourselves: How does she do it? How does she find the time? How does she find the willpower?
Woman Unclouded believes that, by sharing our stories, women can inspire one another - to take the leap, make that call, book that class. A leap towards doing what you really want to do or being who you really want to be. It does not have to be something extraordinary. It just needs to be special for you.
Do you know someone who has an inspiring story to share? It could be yourself, of course! Drop us an email at hello@womanunclouded.com