Chowdeck’s recent headline-grabbing moves have drawn our attention to the food delivery industry. While mainstream giants like fintech, health tech, and e-commerce tend to dominate the headlines, this week’s spotlight is on this often-overlooked segment of the logistics industry.
The fast food industry in Africa is blossoming, and one of its biggest supporters consists of the fast food and food ingredients logistics operators that help food chains deliver their products directly to consumers. Fueled by young, urban populations craving convenience, these homegrown platforms are mixing innovation with hustle. Here are the food delivery ventures making tasty moves across the continent.
Chowdeck
Chowdeck is one of the fastest-growing local food delivery platforms operating out of Nigeria, with a system that delivers meals within 30 minutes on average. The company was co-founded in 2021 by Femi Aluko (CEO), Olumide Ojo (CTO), and Lanre Yusuf (COO), all formerly of Paystack and other African tech firms.
Chowdeck currently operates across eight Nigerian cities, working with over 2,000 restaurants and a network of more than 3,000 riders. The company is currently on an expansion spree, extending its services beyond restaurants into grocery, pharmacy, and package delivery. Its recent acquisition of Mira, a restaurant POS startup, also reflects its ambition to become a super-app for Africa.
HeyFood
Born in 2021 in Ibadan, Nigeria, HeyFood is a thriving food delivery service founded with the vision to bring DoorDash-style delivery to Africa’s tier-two cities. It has since developed innovative food delivery services for consumers across Nigeria.
The founders Taiwo Akinropo and Demilade Odetara, fresh out of university, started the company to solve real pain points for students on campus. However, the company has since grown to serve a larger consumer base. HeyFood now serves consumers in underserved markets across Ibadan, Benin City, Abuja, Abeokuta, and Port Harcourt, and is eyeing expansion into places like Goma and Mombasa.
Interestingly, the company operates with a lean team, which allows it to keep its overhead low and profitability high, reportedly turning a profit from day one by charging per delivery rather than heavily discounting. The company’s app offers real-time tracking, multiple payment options including card and USSD, and both delivery and pickup services.
OneOrder
OneOrder is an innovative startup transforming the hospitality (HoReCa) supply chain across MENA with its tech-enabled supplier and wholesale platform. Founded in 2022 by Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice in Egypt, the company provides reliable, timely access to quality goods for restaurants, hotels, and caterers across Africa and MENA.
The company’s innovative solution also includes embedded financial services for businesses, enabling them to manage various supplier transactions within a single, user-friendly application.
OneOrder aims to become a one-stop shop for client businesses in the hospitality industry to source quality supplies through a streamlined digital ordering process, leveraging its vast network of vendors and large array of top-quality products.
Noki Noki
Noki Noki is a Congolese logistics startup redefining fast-food delivery and digital shopping experiences for users. The company offers a comprehensive delivery and logistics platform across six Central African countries.
Its flagship offerings include Noki Food, designed primarily for food delivery; Noki Drive for supermarket shopping; and Noki Pay, an integrated payment system. Since it commenced operations in 2021, it has processed over 1 billion CFA francs (~US$167 million) in 2023 and serves 10,000+ users.
Mano
Mano is a dynamic logistics and delivery startup revolutionising the quick commerce landscape across West Africa with its ultra-fast delivery platform. Founded in 2020 by Moe Nesr in Angola and launched in Nigeria in 2022, the company provides reliable, lightning-fast access to groceries and food for consumers across major urban centres in Nigeria.
The company’s innovative solution leverages a network of strategically located dark stores and digital technology to deliver groceries within 40 minutes and food within 15-minute windows. Operating across key locations in Nigeria and Angola, Mano serves busy urban consumers who demand convenience and speed.
Mano aims to become the go-to platform for instant commerce needs, combining an extensive product catalogue with a well-trained network of delivery riders and cutting-edge logistics technology. The company is expanding from its initial grocery delivery focus into the broader food delivery market, positioning itself as a comprehensive quick commerce solution for Nigeria’s growing urban population.
