Chowdeck, a Lagos-based food delivery startup, has secured $9 million in Series A funding to accelerate its growth and solidify its position as Africa’s leading super app.
This new round, led by Novastar Ventures and supported by investors such as Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, and Rebel Fund, will enable the company to roll out a quick commerce strategy and expand its footprint into more cities in Nigeria and Ghana.
Founded in October 2021 by Femi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf, Chowdeck has proven resilient in a notoriously competitive and low-margin market, successfully combining local expertise with an efficient logistics network.
With operations now spanning 11 cities across Nigeria and Ghana, the company serves 1.5 million customers, backed by a network of over 20,000 riders. In dense urban areas, more than half of Chowdeck’s deliveries are made by bicycle, highlighting its commitment to efficient, eco-friendly logistics.
Funding to Accelerate Quick Commerce and Expansion
The newly secured $9 million will allow Chowdeck to expand its quick commerce operations, which promise ultra-fast delivery of food, groceries, and other essentials. As part of its strategy, Chowdeck plans to open 40 dark stores by the end of 2025, with 500 expected by 2026. These stores will serve as logistical hubs, facilitating faster deliveries through its innovative hyperlocal network.
CEO Femi Aluko shared his excitement about the round, stating, “We’re thrilled about this funding as it brings us closer to our vision of becoming Africa’s number one super app. This investment will enable us to expand into new cities, reduce delivery times, scale our grocery footprint, and attract top talent to continue driving innovation and customer satisfaction.”
Quick commerce, although a capital-intensive model globally, has been a cornerstone of Chowdeck’s business strategy. While competitors like Gorillas and Getir have faced difficulties scaling this model in Europe, Chowdeck’s local approach and profitability have made it a strong player in the West African market.
An Expanding Market and Diversifying Offerings
In 2024, Chowdeck saw its meal delivery value grow more than sixfold compared to the previous year, with 2025 already surpassing its 2024 totals.
The company attributes its rapid growth to its ability to cater to both local meals and international cuisines, ensuring it meets diverse consumer needs. After launching in Ghana in May 2025, Chowdeck quickly gained traction, handling 1,000 daily orders within three months—without spending on paid advertising. The company plans to quintuple this volume to 5,000 orders per day by September 2025.
This success has been driven by the platform’s focus on local insights, offering customers a blend of Nigerian and international cuisines, thus building trust and loyalty in competitive markets.
Chowdeck’s unique value proposition of delivering local food options, which are typically more difficult to manage operationally, has allowed it to stand out in the crowded delivery space.
Additionally, Chowdeck is diversifying its services beyond food delivery. In June 2025, the company acquired Mira, a point-of-sale software provider for African food and hospitality businesses.
Mira’s real-time inventory and order management tools will enable Chowdeck to optimize its operations, helping the company become a vertical SaaS and logistics provider for the restaurant sector.
A Bright Future Ahead
As competition in Africa’s food delivery market intensifies, with global players like Glovo, Bolt Food, and Yango scaling back their operations, Chowdeck’s growth signals a bright future for local players in the sector. By focusing on efficiency, quick commerce, and operational excellence, Chowdeck is poised to transform the delivery space across the continent.
Aluko believes that the African market is still in its early stages, with online consumer behavior rapidly shifting as more people turn to digital platforms for food and essentials.
He emphasizes that Chowdeck’s success lies in its ability to leverage local knowledge and deliver an experience tailored to African consumers.
For Novastar Ventures, the lead investor in this round, the bet is on Chowdeck’s unique ability to execute. “Chowdeck is building the future of logistics for African cities,” said Brian Waswani Odhiambo, a partner at Novastar Ventures. “With deep local insight, a sustainability-first approach, and impressive execution, it is redefining last-mile delivery on the continent.”