Chowdeck, a Lagos-based food delivery startup known for its profitability in a challenging, low-margin market, recently secured $9 million in Series A funding. This round, led by Novastar Ventures and supported by Y Combinator and other investors, aims to fuel Chowdeck’s quick commerce strategy and geographic expansion into more Nigerian and Ghanaian cities. The investment reflects confidence in the company’s ability to combine local expertise with effective execution to build a profitable super app offering food, groceries, and essentials.
Founded in October 2021, Chowdeck currently operates in 11 cities across Nigeria and Ghana, serving 1.5 million customers with a fleet of over 20,000 riders. The company prides itself on a logistics system that averages 30 minutes per delivery, with many orders in dense urban areas fulfilled by bicycle. Unlike other players that have retreated from Africa’s complex markets, Chowdeck has embraced local culinary preferences to build strong customer trust.
Chowdeck’s meal delivery value grew more than sixfold in 2024, and this year’s volume had already surpassed 2024 totals by July. The new capital will support the rollout of quick commerce, featuring ultra-fast delivery via a network of dark stores and hyperlocal hubs. Chowdeck plans to open 40 dark stores by the end of 2025 and 500 by 2026, launching two to three stores weekly. Having raised $2.5 million in seed funding last year, the company emphasizes profitability, entering new markets or verticals only if it can break even within weeks.
The startup expanded to Ghana in May 2025, reaching 1,000 daily orders in just three months without paid advertising, driven by unmet demand for local and international cuisines. Chowdeck aims to increase daily orders to 5,000 by September 2025 and intends to apply a similar growth model to its dark store operations. Additionally, Chowdeck acquired Mira, a point-of-sale software provider, to optimize restaurant inventory and order management, positioning itself as a combined SaaS and logistics partner for African food businesses.
Chowdeck’s growth is significant for local players following Jumia’s exit and the withdrawal of foreign competitors like Glovo and Bolt Food from Nigeria and Ghana. While other African startups such as Gozem and Yassir also offer food delivery, Chowdeck’s CEO highlights that the market remains nascent, with consumer habits shifting online for the first time. Novastar Ventures sees Chowdeck’s deep local insight, sustainability focus, and operational excellence as key factors redefining last-mile delivery across African cities.
