Redefining last-mile delivery in Africa
In Nigeria, food delivery has long been hampered by high costs and challenging logistics that exclude small vendors from the digital economy. Chowdeck, founded in 2021 by Femi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf, Y Combinator alumni and early Paystack engineers, set out to change this.
The company’s hyperlocal model focuses on smaller delivery zones, optimised routing, and automated dispatch to enable affordable, ultra-fast deliveries. By digitising local vendors and connecting them to urban consumers, Chowdeck has created a reliable and scalable platform trusted by millions.
Sustainability is built into the model. More than 60% of Chowdeck’s fleet already consists of bicycles and electric motorcycles, up from 13% in 2023, with a target of 90% by 2027. This reduces emissions, cuts fuel costs, and improves rider earnings—strengthening both the business and its long-term impact.
Since launch, Chowdeck has become Nigeria’s leading food delivery app, working with over 11,000 vendors, 20,000 riders, and serving 400,000 monthly active users across twelve major cities in Nigeria and Ghana.
Femi Aluko
Co-Founder & CEO
“We’re building the logistics backbone for Africa’s growing cities. Our goal is to make food delivery faster, more reliable and more accessible for consumers, while creating income opportunities for riders and local vendors. With partners like Novastar, we can keep scaling commerce across the continent.”
10M+
orders delivered in 2025
11,000+
vendors growing their businesses on the platform
20,000+
riders with access to daily income on the platform
67%
low or zero-emission fleet, targeting 90% by 2027
34,800+
tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions avoided by 2030
Brian Waswani Odhiambo
Partner at Novastar
“Chowdeck stood out to us for the strength of its execution and the scale of its ambition. Femi and the team are building a platform that connects riders, vendors and consumers in a way that expands economic opportunity while improving urban logistics. We believe Chowdeck is setting the pace in one of Africa’s most dynamic sectors.”
2025
Novastar Ventures Africa People and Planet Fund III (NVIII) invests in Chowdeck
