This Nigerian Food Delivery Startup Has Raised $9M In Series A Funding
Chowdeck, a food delivery startup based in Lagos, has raised $9 million in Series A funding. The equity round was led by Novastar Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ, and others.
The fund will help the company expand in more cities in Nigeria and Ghana and roll out a quick commerce strategy aimed at speeding up grocery and local market deliveries, according to Business Insider Africa.
“We’re thrilled about this round as it brings us closer to our vision of becoming Africa’s number one super app, transforming how millions of Africans access food, groceries, and essentials every day,” Femi Aluko, CEO and co-founder of Chowdeck, said.
About Chowdeck
The company launched in 2021 and was founded by Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf. It operates in 11 cities across Nigeria and Ghana, serving 1.5 million customers with over 20,000 riders. It averages 30 minutes per order, and in dense areas, over half of deliveries arrive by bicycle, according to TechCrunch.
Aluko said the company does not enter cities or verticals without planning to break even within a few weeks.
When it started entering Ghana this May, it handled 1,000 daily orders without paid advertising, which Aluko says came from demand for a service that delivers local favorites alongside international cuisines. The company plans to quintuple that volume to 5,000 daily orders by the end of September 2025.
The value of meals delivered through Chowdeck grew more than sixfold from the previous year in 2024. This year, it has surpassed its 2024 total before July, the company says.
The $9 million in Series A funding
The new capital will enable the company to deliver food, groceries, and medicine more quickly, expand service coverage, and accelerate its entry into underserved cities. The company also intends to open 40 dark stores by the end of this year and 500 by the end of 2026, with two to three new stores launching each week. Last year, Chowdeck raised a $2.5 million seed round.
“With deep local insight, a sustainability-first approach, and impressive execution, it is redefining last-mile delivery on the continent,” partner at Novastar Ventures Brian Waswani Odhiambo says.
Image: Chowdeck
