Chowdeck Series A funding round raises $9M to drive rapid commerce growth and establish 500 dark stores across Nigeria and Ghana

Chowdeck Series A funding of $9 million is set to transform the Nigerian on-demand delivery startup into a major player in the rapid commerce space.

Also read: Nigeria’s food delivery sector experiences explosive growth, billions generated for local businesses

Led by Novastar Ventures with backing from Y Combinator and other investors, the round marks a strategic leap beyond Chowdeck’s food delivery origins.

The Lagos-based company plans to invest the new capital in establishing up to 500 dark stores by the end of 2026, with 40 expected to be operational by the close of 2025.

These dedicated fulfillment hubs will support faster delivery of groceries and daily essentials, significantly boosting Chowdeck’s competitive edge.

CEO and co-founder Femi Akinwumi noted that the funding is not just about scale but about smarter service.

“With this investment, we’re building infrastructure to not only fulfill orders quickly but to offer merchants tools that support real business growth,” he said.

The company’s recent acquisition of Mira, a point-of-sale startup, aligns perfectly with this goal.

By integrating Mira’s inventory and payment systems, Chowdeck now provides an end-to-end tech platform, empowering partner merchants with real-time tools to manage orders and inventory seamlessly.

What sets Chowdeck apart is its disciplined approach to expansion.

Rather than chasing growth at any cost, the company only enters new cities where it can break even in weeks.

This strategy helped it thrive in Ghana, where it hit 1,000 daily orders within three months—faster than it managed in Nigeria.

Chowdeck’s growth comes amid a changing African delivery landscape.

With Jumia Food exiting the market and international players like Glovo and Bolt Food scaling back, Chowdeck is positioning itself as a strong local alternative ready to dominate a market projected to be worth billions.

Also read: Golden Penny Food Fest Enugu brings joy, flavor, community spirit to Uwani

This power move, combining new capital, strategic tech integration, and focused expansion, signals Chowdeck’s evolution into one of Africa’s most formidable delivery and logistics platforms.

Source: Read more at iretura.com