Nigerian food delivery startup Chowdeck has announced that it has raised $9 million in Series A funding from investors including Novastar Ventures and Y Combinator.
This new capital will support its expansion efforts in Nigeria and Ghana and accelerate the rollout of quick commerce, which will use dark stores and local logistics hubs.
Chowdeck’s $9M boost speeds Nigeria-Ghana expansion
Chowdeck, founded in October 2021 by CEO Babafemi Aluko and co-founders Olumide Ojo and Lanre Yusuf, has grown rapidly to serve 1.5 million customers across 11 cities, leveraging a rider network of over 20,000.
The company claims to fulfil orders in about 30 minutes on average, using bicycles for more than half of urban deliveries to keep costs low and eco-friendly.
Its entry into Ghana in May 2025 has already yielded 1,000 daily orders without paid ads, targeting 5,000 daily by September 2025.
CEO Aluko said, “We’re thrilled about this round as it brings us closer to our vision of becoming Africa’s number one super app,” emphasising goals to reduce delivery times, expand grocery offerings, and open more fulfilment hubs in new cities.
Using quick commerce and dark stores to deliver faster
Chowdeck plans to open 40 dark stores by the end of 2025 and up to 500 in 2026, aiming to pioneer ultra-fast delivery through hyperlocal logistics.
This model allows quick access to groceries, meals, and essentials with reduced delivery times.
The investment will help scale operations and hire innovation and customer experience talent. The startup aims to establish itself as a strong local player as international competitors like Jumia Food, Bolt Food, and Glovo withdraw from some West African markets.
This local expertise allows Chowdeck to navigate Nigeria’s challenging delivery landscape with a sustainability-first approach.
Expanding beyond delivery with software acquisition
In June 2025, Chowdeck acquired Mira, a restaurant’s point-of-sale and inventory management system, to deepen its support for food vendors beyond delivery logistics.
This integration will enable real-time tracking of inventory and orders, providing vendors with better operational efficiency.
The acquisition transforms Chowdeck into a hybrid logistics and software service provider, allowing it to earn revenue from delivery fees, payment processing, and value-added vendor services.
This vertical integration is expected to make Chowdeck’s network more essential and resilient in a competitive market.
Chowdeck’s latest funding milestone highlights a confident step forward in Nigeria’s on-demand delivery sector. Driven by a business model focused on profitability, operational efficiency, and local market knowledge, the company continues to expand its footprint in Nigeria and Ghana with measured growth strategies and tech-driven solutions.