Lanre Yusuf (Chowdeck)

Overview

Lanre Yusuf is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Chowdeck, a rapidly growing food delivery platform operating predominantly in Nigeria and Ghana. Born from a collaborative effort alongside partners Femi Aluko and Olumide Ojo, Chowdeck was launched in October 2021 with a focus on providing efficient and fast food delivery services. Under Yusuf's leadership as COO, the company has emerged as a leading player in the West African food delivery market, securing significant investment capital and achieving rapid growth. Yusuf's entrepreneurial journey has been marked by his innovative approach to business, leveraging technology to solve logistic challenges in urban environments.

Recent Developments

In recent years, Lanre Yusuf and his company, Chowdeck, have achieved several milestones:

August 2025: Chowdeck announced a $9 million Series A funding round led by Novastar Ventures, along with participation from Y Combinator and other investors. This funding will help extend Chowdeck’s quick commerce strategy and expand operations in Nigeria and Ghana.
May 2025: The company entered the Ghanaian market and began handling 1,000 daily orders within three months without paid advertising, signaling strong market demand.
June 2025: Chowdeck acquired Mira, a point-of-sale provider for African food and hospitality businesses, enhancing its capability to streamline operations with real-time inventory and order management.
2024: Chowdeck’s meal delivery values increased more than sixfold compared to the previous year, with plans to expand service coverage with 40 dark stores by 2025 and 500 by 2026.
October 2021: Chowdeck was founded, growing from 300 users to 1.5 million in under four years, now operating in 11 cities and supported by over 20,000 riders.

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Yusuf Lanre
Born	[Date unknown], Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Occupation	Co-founder and COO at Chowdeck
Known For	Co-founding Chowdeck, driving logistics innovation
Education	Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science with economics from Obafemi Awolowo University (2009-2015)

Early Life and Education

Lanre Yusuf was born and raised in Nigeria. Details about his early life remain sparse. He pursued tertiary education at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science with economics between 2009 and 2015. His academic background laid a solid foundation for his entry into the tech industry, particularly his expertise in software development and operations management, leading to significant roles in tech startups.

Career and Notable Achievements

Lanre Yusuf’s professional journey began after university, moving through notable positions in tech companies prior to his venture with Chowdeck:

CROWN INTERACTIVE LIMITED: He took on a leadership role focusing on front-end design and development.
Biz301: Here, Yusuf honed his skills in managing complex technological solutions.
Chowdeck (October 2021-present): As co-founder and COO, Yusuf has led Chowdeck to become a dominant force in the on-demand food delivery sector in Nigeria and Ghana, leveraging a network of over 20,000 riders and a customer base exceeding 1.5 million.

Current Work and Impact

Currently, Yusuf continues to drive Chowdeck’s strategic expansion across Africa. The company’s innovative logistics model, featuring a quick commerce strategy through “dark stores” and hyperlocal hubs, positions Chowdeck as a leading player in Africa’s food delivery landscape. Beyond operational success, Chowdeck’s impact is seen in its sustainability efforts, with over 50% of deliveries made by bicycles, contributing to eco-friendly logistics solutions.

Conclusion

Lanre Yusuf has made significant contributions to Africa's burgeoning tech startup scene through his work with Chowdeck. As the company expands its reach in the food delivery sector, Yusuf’s role in crafting innovative logistics strategies has demonstrated the viability and growth potential of locally tailored business models in competitive markets. His efforts have not only transformed Chowdeck into a leading logistic provider but have also paved the way for sustainable and community-focused economic practices within the industry. As Chowdeck continues its ambitious journey to redefine delivery services across Africa, Yusuf's influence is likely to remain pivotal in its future success.