Lagos-based on-demand delivery startup Chowdeck has just raised $9 million in Series A funding to accelerate its expansion across Nigeria and Ghana and launch a quick-commerce model that promises ultra-fast delivery of food, groceries, and everyday essentials.
Moreover, Novastar Ventures led the equity round, supported by Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ, and other global investors. This capital injection will enable Chowdeck to deepen its presence in current markets, enter new cities, and enhance delivery speeds for food, groceries, and even medicines.
Founded in October 2021, the company has already built a network of over 20,000 riders spanning 11 cities, serving more than 1.5 million customers, all while maintaining an average delivery time of just 30 minutes.
To deliver even faster, Chowdeck will roll out a quick-commerce strategy centered around dark stores compact, strategically located fulfilment hubs stocked with high-demand items, backed by a hyperlocal logistics network. Consequently, the company hopes to boost efficiency, reliability, and service coverage.
Additionally, Chowdeck made headlines in June by acquiring Mira, a point-of-sale platform tailored for food and hospitality businesses. This acquisition strengthens the startup’s software capabilities, positioning it as not just a logistics provider but also a vertical SaaS player.
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Furthermore, the company’s growth trajectory is impressive: in 2024, the value of meals delivered jumped more than sixfold compared to 2023 and by mid-2025, it had already surpassed that record.
Looking ahead, Chowdeck plans to open 40 dark stores by the end of 2025, and then scale up to 500 by the end of 2026, launching two to three new stores every week. Notably, its May 2025 entry into Ghana reached 1,000 daily orders within three months without paid advertising, underscoring its rapid path to profitability.
Novastar Ventures lauded Chowdeck for “building the future of logistics for African cities,” applauding its sustainability-first mindset and execution prowess. Meanwhile, CEO and co-founder Femi Aluko promised to use the fresh funding to expand to new cities, slash delivery times, grow grocery operations, and recruit top talent, on its journey to becoming Africa’s leading super app
