Chowdeck

Overview

Chowdeck is a Nigerian-based on-demand food delivery platform that connects customers with a wide selection of local restaurants. Founded in October 2021 by Femi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf, the company quickly rose in prominence within Nigeria's $1 billion food delivery market. Chowdeck has raised approximately $2.62 million in funding, with support from Y Combinator and other investors. The company is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, and operates extensively in multiple Nigerian cities.

Recent Developments

  • July 2025: Chowdeck announced a significant milestone, hitting 1,000 daily orders in Ghana, merely three months after launching in Accra. The expansion into Ghana marked a pivotal move in Chowdeck's strategy to broaden its reach across Africa. The company's entry into Ghana saw it contending with established players like Bolt Food.
  • June 2025: Chowdeck acquired Mira, a provider of modern PoS solutions, to bolster their operational capabilities and offer enhanced services to food businesses in Africa. This acquisition is part of Chowdeck’s strategy to tackle logistical challenges in the African food industry.
  • March 2025: Chowdeck reached the significant milestone of achieving 10 million deliveries, with a remarkable 60% of those occurring in the last nine months.
  • February 2025: Chowdeck made its first international expansion by launching services in Ghana, aiming to replicate its Nigerian success.
  • 2024 Achievements: The company recorded over ₦30 billion in delivery value, highlighting its prowess in the Nigerian market. Also, Chowdeck executed an exclusive partnership with Chicken Republic, enhancing its customer reach and service offerings.

Company Information

AttributeInformation
Founding DateOctober 2021
HeadquartersLagos, Nigeria
FoundersFemi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, Lanre Yusuf
Revenue$17.9 million (2024)
ProfitsNot publicly disclosed
Key InvestorsY Combinator, Goodwater Capital, FoundersX Ventures
IndustryFood Delivery
Number of Employees123

Early History

Chowdeck was established in October 2021 amidst the growing interest in on-demand delivery services within Nigeria. Founders Femi Aluko, a former Principal Engineer at Paystack, alongside Olumide Ojo and Lanre Yusuf, saw a gap in the market for a reliable food delivery service. The company began by partnering with local restaurants and deploying riders to ensure efficient door-to-door service. Initially operating in Lagos, the platform rapidly scaled to cover eight Nigerian cities including Abuja, Port-Harcourt, and Ibadan. The founders' technical expertise, coupled with strategic funding from Y Combinator, allowed for rapid development and deployment of an efficient user-friendly app.

Company Profile and Achievements

  • Chowdeck's business model focuses on connecting diners with their favorite local and international cuisines through a convenient app interface that ensures meals are delivered within an average of 30 minutes.
  • By 2024, Chowdeck expanded its reach to cover over 1 million users across Nigeria, managing noteworthy partnerships, such as the exclusive agreement with Chicken Republic in Lagos and Ibadan.
  • The company also introduced loyalty programs and leveraged advanced technology to enhance app features, providing real-time order tracking and integrating AI-driven suggestions to optimize customer choices.
  • Chowdeck has confronted stiff competition from global giants like Glovo and local heavyweight Jumia. Despite this, Chowdeck has maintained a strong foothold through superior customer service and promotional strategies.

Current Operations and Market Position

Chowdeck currently operates in multiple cities across Nigeria and recently expanded to Ghana. The company continues to focus on technology-driven growth, aiming for faster delivery times and exclusive restaurant partnerships to distinguish itself in a competitive market. The platform has broadened its service offerings to include groceries and household essentials to captivate a broader customer base. Chowdeck's investment in Mira represents a shift towards enhancing backend operational efficiency for its partner restaurants, promising more value for both users and vendors.

Conclusion

Chowdeck has positioned itself as a formidable contender in the African food delivery industry. The company's rapid growth and strategic moves underscore its potential to shape the food delivery landscape across regions. With ongoing efforts to expand further into African markets and continuous innovations in service delivery and technology, Chowdeck stands poised to redefine dining convenience in the region. As the company enhances its market presence, it is well-equipped to become a leading force driving the on-demand economy in Africa.

References

  1. Chowdeck hits 1,000 daily orders in Ghana
  2. Chowdeck acquires Mira
  3. Nairametrics - Chowdeck's delivery value
  4. Y Combinator on Chowdeck
  5. Techcrunch on Chowdeck
  6. Empower Africa - Chowdeck funding details
  7. Rest of World - Chowdeck operations
  8. Tolugrey on Chowdeck metrics
  9. Chowdeck profile on D&B