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In Food Delivery Business
On any given afternoon in Lagos, it is easy to spot the Yellow and green, black and white delivery boxes weaving through traffic. These are Glovo and Chowdeck riders racing against time to satisfy their teeming customers. What started as a convenience for busy Lagosians has now become a lifestyle. Both companies began their journeys in Nigeria’s busiest city Lagos, offering solutions to traffic fatigue, long queues, and unpredictable service. Their seamless apps, affordable fees, and reliable riders have made them trust worthy and as their success deepens, their reach is gradually extending to other Nigerian states.
THE ENTRY OF GLOVO AND CHOWDECK
When Glovo arrived in Lagos in 2021, it entered a market that was ripe but challenging. Food delivery had existed, but mostly in informal forms, dispatch riders hired by individual restaurants, WhatsApp orders, or calls to roadside food vendors. Glovo introduced structure and technology to what had previously been a scattered system. By integrating a digital app that allowed customers to order food, groceries, and even small parcels from multiple stores, the company tapped into Lagosians’ growing appetite for digital convenience.
Chowdeck, on the other hand, emerged as a local contender in 2021, founded by Nigerian entrepreneurs who understood the local market’s nuances. Starting first in Lagos before expanding to other cities, Chowdeck positioned itself as a proudly Nigerian brand focused on fast and affordable food delivery. Its user-friendly app, friendly branding, and deep partnerships with local restaurants made it an instant favourite among urban youth and tech-savvy professionals.
MAKING FOOD DELIVERY EASIER
For years, ordering food in Lagos meant dealing with uncertainty, phone lines that never went through, meals that took hours to arrive, or riders who got lost enroute. Glovo and Chowdeck changed that narrative. With just a few taps, users can browse menus, place orders, and track deliveries in real time. This digital transformation has made food ordering not just easier but also more predictable.
Glovo’s all inclusive model means it is not limited to restaurant food, users can also order snacks, groceries, or pharmaceuticals from nearby stores. This flexibility has made it particularly appealing to working-class professionals who juggle tight schedules. Chowdeck, honed in on the core of what Lagosians value most speed. By building a network of riders strategically located around key neighborhoods such as Lekki, Surulere, Ikeja, Yaba, and others Chowdeck drastically reduced waiting times. In many cases, meals arrive within 20 to 30 minutes, a remarkable feat given the city’s heavy traffic.
AFFORDABILITY
A major challenge for food delivery services in Nigeria has been affordability. Before the entry of platforms like Glovo and Chowdeck, delivery fees were often prohibitive sometimes costing more than the meal itself. Glovo approached this by introducing periodic promotions and partnering with restaurants to subsidize delivery costs. Its Glovo Prime subscription, which offers free deliveries for a monthly fee, has also appealed to frequent users.
Chowdeck took a more localized approach. By working closely with local restaurants and street food vendors, it offered users budget-friendly options without compromising quality. The app’s pricing transparency showing delivery fees upfront helped build trust. Moreover, Chowdeck’s occasional free delivery weekends and discount codes have made it particularly attractive to students and young professionals seeking value for money.
BUILDING TRUST THROUGH RELIABLE SERVICE
In Lagos, Trust is earned through consistency. Early adopters of food delivery apps were often skeptical worried about missing orders, wrong deliveries, or poor customer service. Glovo and Chowdeck recognized this and invested heavily in technology and customer support. Glovo’s real-time tracking system ensures users can monitor their riders’ progress, while Chowdeck’s live chat and quick response teams help resolve complaints swiftly.
User reviews and social media feedback reveal that both platforms have become increasingly dependable. Customers appreciate that refunds are processed quickly when issues arise, and that orders arrive as described. For many Lagosians, especially those working from home and offices, these apps have become indispensable parts of daily life. It is no longer just about ordering food, it is about knowing your order will arrive hot, correct, and on time.
SPEED AND CONVENIENCE
In Lagos, time is Gold. Glovo and Chowdeck have made Speed a competitive advantage. Glovo’s technology-driven dispatch system matches riders with orders based on proximity and traffic data, reducing delays. Chowdeck, leveraging local insights, often deploys riders in clusters anticipating high-demand periods like lunchtime in business districts or late-night cravings in residential areas.
Many users testify that Chowdeck’s deliveries are among the fastest in the city, especially during off peak hours. Meanwhile, Glovo’s ability to deliver not just meals but other essentials give it an edge for customers who want everything in one place. The combination of speed and versatility has set new standards for service expectations in the Lagos delivery system.
The food delivery in Lagos continues to evolve, and Glovo and Chowdeck are at the center of that transformation. Both platforms have become more than just delivery apps, they represent a shift toward a lifestyle of convenience and digital trust. Their success shows that Nigerians are ready to embrace a culture where technology simplifies daily living.
What these 2 brands have achieved goes beyond Logistics. They have redefined comfort for millions in a city that never sleeps turning Lagos from a place where food delivery was once a gamble into one where it is a guarantee.
–Favour Okore
