Chowdeck, a fast-growing food and grocery delivery startup based in Lagos, has secured $9 million in Series A funding to accelerate its expansion across Nigeria and Ghana. The round was led by Novastar Ventures with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, and HoaQ.
Funding and Strategic Goals
The $9 million investment will fuel Chowdeck’s plan to grow its quick commerce operations, build more dark stores, and strengthen its technology infrastructure. The company aims to dominate the African delivery market by offering fast, reliable service for both food and grocery orders.
Founding and Growth
Founded in October 2021 by Femi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf, Chowdeck has quickly built a presence in 11 cities across Nigeria and Ghana. The platform serves over 1.5 million customers with a fleet of more than 20,000 riders. Average delivery time is 30 minutes, with more than half of deliveries in dense urban areas completed by bicycle.
In 2024, the value of meals delivered increased more than sixfold compared to the previous year. By mid-2025, the company had already surpassed its 2024 totals. In May 2025, Chowdeck launched in Ghana and reached 1,000 daily orders within three months without paid advertising. The goal is to reach 5,000 daily orders in Ghana by September 2025.
Quick Commerce and Dark Store Rollout
Chowdeck is expanding its quick commerce model by introducing dark stores to reduce grocery delivery times to 20 minutes or less. Several stores are already operational in Lagos. The company plans to open 40 more by the end of 2025 and scale to 500 by the end of 2026, launching two to three stores each week.
Technology and Product Expansion
In June 2025, Chowdeck acquired Mira, a point-of-sale provider for restaurants and hospitality businesses in Africa. This acquisition enhances the company’s backend capabilities, including inventory control, order management, and real-time performance tracking.
In 2024, Chowdeck also launched Chowpass, a subscription service that offers free delivery on orders above ₦3,000, reduced service fees, and an ad-free experience. Over 70% of subscribers renew their membership each month, showing strong customer loyalty.
Market Position
The Nigerian food delivery market is projected to grow to $2.4 billion in the next eight years, driven by increasing internet penetration and urbanization. Many international competitors, such as Jumia Food and Glovo, have scaled back or exited the market, creating room for local companies to capture market share.
Chowdeck has remained profitable while expanding, a rare achievement in the delivery industry. The company’s ability to operate efficiently in challenging markets gives it a strong competitive edge.
Outlook
With new funding, Chowdeck is positioned to strengthen its role as a leader in African delivery services. Its focus on fast deliveries, strong technology infrastructure, and geographic expansion supports its vision of becoming Africa’s number one super app for food, groceries, and household essentials.
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