Nigerian food delivery startup Chowdeck is making a bold move to transform quick commerce in Africa. Since its launch in 2021, the company has grown to serve over 1.5 million customers. Now, it’s pivoting from an asset-light model to a dark store strategy aimed at delivering groceries and other essentials in under 30 minutes.
From Speedy Meals to Lightning-Fast Groceries
Chowdeck began with one mission: ultra-fast meal delivery. But as the platform expanded into groceries and pharmaceuticals, CEO Femi Aluko says it became clear that working with traditional supermarkets and pharmacies made sub-30-minute deliveries difficult.
The solution? Dark stores — small, strategically located fulfillment centers closed to the public, designed exclusively for rapid online order processing. Chowdeck has already rolled out several in Lagos, cutting grocery delivery times to 20 minutes or less.
The company plans to open 40 more dark stores across Nigeria by year-end, a decisive step toward becoming a full-fledged quick commerce leader.
Funding the Infrastructure Play
This ambitious rollout is powered by a $9 million Series A equity round led by Novastar Ventures, with backing from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, and HoaQ.
“Chowdeck is building the future of logistics for African cities by creating a platform that benefits consumers, vendors, and riders alike,” said Brian Odhiambo, Partner at Novastar Ventures. “With deep local insight, a sustainability-first approach, and impressive execution, they are redefining last-mile delivery on the continent.”
The raise comes just months after Chowdeck’s $2.5 million seed round in April 2024. Aluko notes they hadn’t planned to raise more funds this year, but strong performance and investor interest changed the plan.
Beyond Food: Subscriptions & Diversification
Food delivery still drives most of Chowdeck’s revenue, but diversification is a core part of its growth play. In 2024, the company introduced Chowpass, a monthly subscription service offering perks like free delivery on orders above ₦3,000, reduced service fees, and an ad-free experience.
Customer adoption has been strong, with over 70% of subscribers renewing monthly, a sign of high engagement and loyalty.
A Head Start in International Markets
In May 2025, Chowdeck entered Ghana — its first international market — and quickly hit 1,000 daily deliveries in just two months. For comparison, it took 11 months to reach that milestone in Nigeria.
Aluko credits the speed to lessons learned during Nigeria’s early growth phase, from refining marketing channels to understanding consumer needs.
Why This Matters for African Tech
Chowdeck’s dark store investment marks a shift in Africa’s startup landscape — from hypergrowth mindsets to building sustainable, infrastructure-driven models. With urbanization rising and delivery speed becoming a key competitive edge, Chowdeck’s approach could set a new benchmark for quick commerce across African cities.
If the strategy pays off, it won’t just change how Nigerians shop — it could inspire a continent-wide rethink of logistics and e-commerce.
