Femi Aluko (Chowdeck): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Femi Aluko is a prominent Nigerian tech entrepreneur and software engineer, best known as the co-founder and CEO of Chowdeck, one of Nigeria's fastest-growing on-demand food delivery startups. Born on March 31, 1993, Aluko has been instrumental in revolutionizing the food delivery and logistics landscape in Nigeria and West Africa, leveraging his engineering acumen from a successful career at Paystack, a major African fintech company. Since launching Chowdeck in 2021, he has presided over remarkable growth, attracting millions of users and securing substantial investments, positioning the company as a key player in the African foodtech ecosystem. This article explores ten must-know facts about Femi Aluko, delving into his biography, the rise of Chowdeck, his entrepreneurial philosophy, and his impact on the tech and food delivery industries.

1. Early Life and Academic Excellence

Femi Aluko was born on March 31, 1993, in Lagos State, Nigeria. He hails from Akesan in Alimosho Local Government Area. Demonstrating exceptional academic prowess, he graduated as the best student in his class from Obafemi Awolowo University in 2015, earning a degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Telecommunications. His academic excellence laid a strong foundation for his future career as a software engineer and entrepreneur.

2. Professional Career Before Chowdeck

Before launching Chowdeck, Femi Aluko built a solid career in software engineering. He worked at several companies including Toptech Engineering Ltd, Hutbay, and Softblue Nigeria. In 2017, he joined Paystack as the fifth engineer and the first Core Payments Engineer. Here, Aluko played a critical role in developing and scaling Paystack's core payment infrastructure, helping to process over 100,000 transactions daily. His tenure at Paystack culminated in his promotion to Principal Engineer, making him a key technical leader during the company's acquisition by Stripe in 2020 for $200 million.

3. The Birth of Chowdeck: A Personal Challenge Turned Business Idea

Chowdeck was conceived during the exceptional circumstance of the COVID-19 pandemic. While traveling in Dubai and then testing positive for COVID-19 in early 2021, Aluko experienced firsthand the challenges of food delivery in Nigeria. Frustrated by the unreliable service and inefficiency of existing platforms, he envisioned a logistics-first food delivery solution tailored to the unique challenges of Nigerian cities. This epiphany led him to co-found Chowdeck in October 2021 alongside fellow engineers Olumide Ojo (CTO) and Lanre Yusuf (COO).

4. Chowdeck's Unique Model and Rapid Growth

Unlike conventional food delivery apps, Chowdeck was designed with a strong focus on reliable logistics, speed, and operational efficiency to overcome Nigerian infrastructural challenges. Starting with just three bikes and two restaurant partners, the company quickly iterated its model based on ground realities, leading to over 80,000 meals delivered within six months of launch. As of late 2024, Chowdeck has expanded operations across major Nigerian cities and beyond, completing over ₦30 billion worth of deliveries in 2024 alone and serving over 1 million registered users.

5. Strategic Funding and Partnerships

Chowdeck's impressive growth attracted significant investor interest. In May 2024, the company raised $2.5 million in seed funding from notable investors including Y Combinator, Goodwater Capital, FoundersX Ventures, and True Culture Fund. The platform has also established exclusive delivery partnerships with major brands such as Chicken Republic and Shoprite, alongside hundreds of small and medium enterprises, thereby strengthening its market position and service quality.

6. Commitment to Rider Welfare and Sustainability

Femi Aluko and Chowdeck are notable for prioritizing rider compensation and welfare. With a fleet exceeding 3,000 riders, many earn salaries comparable to senior civil servants in Nigeria, addressing economic sustainability in the delivery sector. Chowdeck's business model emphasizes profitable unit economics rather than subsidized pricing, ensuring long-term operational viability while providing quality employment opportunities.

7. Expansion Beyond Food Delivery

Chowdeck is evolving into a comprehensive logistics-as-a-service platform that goes beyond food delivery. In June 2025, Chowdeck acquired Mira, a point-of-sale software provider used by over 500 restaurants, integrating order management, inventory, and sales tracking to provide merchants with enhanced operational control. The company plans to expand into grocery delivery and quick commerce services, aiming to become Africa's number one super app, facilitating urban commerce and daily necessities.

8. Recognition and Influence in African Tech

Under Femi Aluko's leadership, Chowdeck and its founder have garnered numerous accolades. Aluko was named in Nigerian CEO Magazine's "40 Under 40" list in December 2024 and received the Future Awards Africa's Technology Prize the same year. He is a sought-after speaker at major tech summits including the Meta Youth Summit and Bluechip Data & AI Summit, sharing insights on innovation, logistics, and scalable technology solutions in Africa.

9. Femi Aluko's Online Presence and Medium Writings

Aluko actively shares his entrepreneurial journey, lessons, and insights on his Medium blog. His writings cover technical challenges, product development, managing teams, and reflections on the startup ecosystem, serving as an inspiration to upcoming African tech founders. His authentic storytelling and transparency provide guidance for navigating the complexities of building tech businesses in Africa's unique environments.

10. Personal Characteristics and Vision for Africa

Femi Aluko exemplifies a combination of technical excellence, entrepreneurial boldness, and a problem-solving mindset. His vision extends beyond business success to impact the African food economy positively. By building infrastructure that empowers vendors, customers, and riders, and by fostering local innovation, Aluko aims to catalyze systemic change in Africa's urban logistics and commerce sectors, inspiring a new generation of tech-driven solutions.

Conclusion

Femi Aluko's journey from a top engineering graduate to the helm of one of Africa's most innovative food delivery startups reveals a blueprint for modern African entrepreneurship. By leveraging personal experience, deep technical knowledge, and a commitment to addressing local challenges with scalable solutions, Aluko and Chowdeck are reshaping how Nigerians and West Africans access food and essential services. With continued expansion, strategic partnerships, and investment, Chowdeck is poised to play a central role in Africa's digital economy, while Aluko's leadership continues to inspire aspiring innovators across the continent. His story raises intriguing questions about the future of food logistics and technology-led urban services in Africa's rapidly evolving markets.