Nigerian on-demand food delivery startup Chowdeck has raised $9 million in Series A funding to accelerate its expansion across Nigeria and Ghana, and to launch a quick commerce strategy for ultra-fast delivery of food, groceries, and essentials.
Capital Injection and Investors
The equity round was led by Novastar Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ, and other strategic backers. The funding reflects growing investor confidence in Chowdeck’s ability to pair deep local market knowledge with disciplined execution in a sector where many global players have struggled to achieve profitability.
Growth Trajectory and Operational Scale
Founded in October 2021 by Femi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf, Chowdeck now operates in 11 cities across Nigeria and Ghana, serving more than 1.5 million customers through a network of over 20,000 riders. The platform averages 30-minute deliveries, with more than half completed via bicycles in congested urban areas.
The company recorded over sixfold growth in the value of meals delivered in 2024 compared to the previous year. By July 2025, it had already surpassed the total order volume achieved in all of 2024.
Quick Commerce and Dark Store Rollout
The Series A funding will support Chowdeck’s move into “quick commerce” a model focused on ultra-fast delivery through dark stores and hyper-local logistics hubs. The company plans to open 40 dark stores by the end of 2025 and scale to 500 by the end of 2026, launching two to three new stores each week.
SaaS Integration Through Acquisition
In June 2025, Chowdeck acquired Mira, a point-of-sale provider that offers inventory and order management solutions to restaurants. This acquisition positions Chowdeck as both a logistics provider and a vertical SaaS operator, enabling it to strengthen its relationship with partner restaurants.
Profitability and Market Position
Unlike many competitors, Chowdeck has been profitable before this funding round. The company only enters new cities or verticals where it can reach break-even within weeks. Its Ghana expansion in May reached 1,000 daily orders within three months without paid advertising and is on track to hit 5,000 daily orders by September 2025.
Endorsements from Founders and Investors
CEO Femi Aluko said the funding will help accelerate Chowdeck’s ambition to become Africa’s leading super app for on-demand services. Novastar Ventures partner Brian Waswani Odhiambo praised the company’s strong execution, sustainability-focused delivery approach, and local market insight, noting that it is redefining last-mile delivery in Africa.
Chowdeck Series A Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | $9M Series A |
| Lead Investor | Novastar Ventures |
| Other Investors | Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ |
| Founded | October 2021 |
| Founders | Femi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, Lanre Yusuf |
| Operational Cities | 11 |
| Users | 1.5M+ |
| Rider Network | 20,000+ |
| Average Delivery Time | ~30 minutes |
| Dark Store Target | 500 by 2026 |
| Profitability | Achieved pre-Series A |
