Chowdeck Celebrates Delivery Milestone as Grocery Segment Soars

Nigerian delivery startup Chowdeck has announced it has surpassed 100 million items delivered across more than 30 million deliveries, marking a significant achievement as the company approaches its fifth anniversary. The milestone reflects rapid growth in recent years, with 80% of all deliveries occurring in just the last 20 months.

Initially focused on restaurant meals, Chowdeck has expanded to include groceries and daily essentials through its app, which connects users with various merchants across Nigeria and Ghana. Co-founder and CEO Femi Aluko shared the news on X, expressing gratitude to customers, riders, vendors, employees, and partners for their contributions.

Grocery Segment Drives Recent Expansion

The surge in grocery sales has been particularly notable, accounting for 11% of Chowdeck’s total business as of June. In that month alone, the company facilitated over ₦1.5 billion worth of grocery deliveries—a segment Aluko initially considered a “small bet” but has since become transformative.

This expansion aligns with broader trends in quick commerce, which focuses on delivering groceries and essentials with speed and convenience. While presenting new opportunities, this shift has also required Chowdeck to adapt its logistics operations due to the different demands of grocery fulfillment compared to restaurant orders.

Infrastructure Investments Support Growth

To accommodate this rapid expansion, Chowdeck has made strategic investments in its infrastructure, including a $9 million Series A funding round led by Novastar Ventures and Y Combinator in August 2023. This capital will support further enhancements to its grocery operations and overall delivery network.

Founded by Femi Aluko, Lanre Yusuf, and Olumide Ojo, Chowdeck has quickly become a popular platform for accessing meals, groceries, and other essential products through a user-friendly mobile app.