Nigerian on-demand delivery platform Chowdeck has raised $9 million in Series A funding to speed up its expansion into more cities in Nigeria and Ghana, while launching a “quick commerce” strategy aimed at making grocery and local market deliveries even faster.
Founded in October 2021, the company has built a tech-enabled logistics network that serves over 1.5 million customers and partners with more than 20,000 riders across 11 cities, delivering food, groceries, and everyday essentials in an average of 30 minutes.
In 2024, the value of meals delivered on the platform grew more than sixfold compared to the previous year, with 2025 already surpassing last year’s total.
“This funding will supercharge our growth plans, enabling us to expand into more cities, reduce delivery times, scale our grocery footprint, and attract the best talent to drive innovation and customer satisfaction,” said Femi Aluko, CEO and co-founder of Chowdeck.
Boosting Speed with Quick Commerce
The new funding round, led by Novastar Ventures with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ, and others, will support Chowdeck’s quick commerce strategy, which includes deploying dark stores and hyperlocal logistics to improve delivery times and coverage depth.
These small, strategically placed warehouses will allow the platform to store high-demand goods closer to customers, significantly reducing delivery windows.
Breaking Records in a Competitive Market
Since its inception, Chowdeck has combined smart logistics, seamless payments, inventory management, and real-time performance tracking to connect thousands of businesses with millions of customers.
Its ability to deliver in under 30 minutes puts it among the fastest in West Africa’s growing on-demand delivery sector.
“With deep local insight, a sustainability-first approach, and impressive execution, Chowdeck is redefining last-mile delivery on the continent,” said Brian Odhiambo, partner at Novastar Ventures.
“We’re very excited to partner with Chowdeck in this next phase of growth as it scales its offering and helps create a more inclusive, sustainable, and efficient urban economy.”
Aiming for Africa’s Number One Super App
Chowdeck’s long-term ambition is to become Africa’s leading super app for food, groceries, and essential goods, a goal its backers believe is achievable given its growth trajectory and market penetration.
The company’s expansion into underserved cities in Nigeria and Ghana is expected to bring more customers into the quick commerce ecosystem, while providing new income opportunities for local riders and merchants.
Why It Matters
Chowdeck’s $9 million funding is significant as it marks a turning point for Africa’s fast-growing quick-commerce market, where speed, reliability, and convenience are becoming essential in urban life.
With Africa’s q-commerce sector projected to hit US$1.47 billion in 2025 and grow over 10% annually to 2030, experts say the real competitive edge lies in dependable service in markets where logistics have long been unpredictable.
By maintaining average delivery times under 30 minutes and expanding into underserved Nigerian and Ghanaian cities, Chowdeck is not only chasing market share but also shaping a new standard for urban retail.
This could boost local economies, create thousands of jobs, and redefine how millions access food, groceries, and essentials.
Talking Points
From a professional analytical perspective, Chowdeck’s $9 million Series A raise is both a validation of its execution to date and a clear signal of where Africa’s on-demand economy is headed.
The company’s ability to scale to 1.5 million customers, 20,000 riders, and an average delivery time of under 30 minutes in just three years reflects strong operational discipline in a market notorious for infrastructural challenges.
However, the quick-commerce space is capital-intensive and operationally unforgiving, dark stores, hyperlocal fleets, and inventory control require consistent funding, razor-thin efficiency, and relentless customer acquisition to remain viable.
The real test will be Chowdeck’s ability to sustain its service levels as it pushes into new cities with less-developed logistics networks, while fending off both global competitors like Glovo and emerging local challengers.
If it can keep reliability high while optimizing unit economics, Chowdeck could not only cement itself as West Africa’s leading delivery platform but also set a replicable model for tech-enabled logistics across the continent.
If not, the burn rate could quickly outpace growth, a fate that has humbled many high-flying delivery startups worldwide.
