The cover began in November 2024 with every active rider on the platform automatically enrolled. The policy covers accidental medical expenses, temporary disability and income support if a rider cannot work after an accident.

For a sector built on speed, this is an outstanding initiative. Riders keep Nigeria’s delivery apps running, but most operate as self-employed workers with limited protection.

Chowdeck, founded in October 2021, has grown and expanded across cities. It serves over two million customers and works with thousands of food and hospitality businesses. But like many platforms in the gig economy, its riders shoulder daily risks on busy roads.

Across Nigeria, riders working for platforms such as Bolt, Uber, Jumia Food and Chowdeck typically earn between ₦80,000 and ₦120,000 a week. Most are classified as independent workers. That means no paid leave, no pensions and, until recently, little structured insurance.

A 2026 survey found that 64% of location-based gig workers said income from platforms made a good difference to their household finances. The work is important, so is the risk.

Umar Nasir, head of Operations at Chowdeck, said: “riders are a critical part of everything we do at Chowdeck. This partnership with MyCoverGenius is about more than just insurance – it’s about setting a new benchmark for how delivery platforms in Africa should protect and support their people.

“We want every Chowdeck rider to feel secure knowing that their wellbeing is just as important as the meals and packages they deliver every day.”

Adebowale Banjo, chief executive officer at MyCoverGenius, said the company’s mission has always been to make insurance accessible, relevant, and impactful for everyday Africans and partnering with Chowdeck ensures “we’re not only extending protection to thousands of hardworking riders, but also demonstrating how digital platforms can integrate insurance in ways that directly improve lives.”

The timing is another important aspect. Nigeria’s 2026 tax reforms are drawing gig workers into the formal tax net. Riders and freelancers now face compliance obligations that did not apply to many of them before. However, most still lack the benefits tied to traditional employment.

That gap has led to issues about fairness in the fast-growing gig economy. Platforms depend on riders, but riders usually absorb the shocks when accidents happen or demand drops.

Globally, delivery and ride-hailing firms have begun to use welfare benefits to attract and retain workers. Insurance, in particular, is becoming a point of difference.

This was revealed on Monday by Co-founder and Chief Executive Femi Aluko, who described the company’s rise as a clear sign that the on-demand model can succeed at scale in Africa. 

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Chowdeck just hit 2 million users!” He recalled the company’s early days, noting: “It feels like just yesterday that we started with three riders and two restaurant partners. We now have more than 20k riders across 14 cities in Nigeria and Ghana.”

Chowdeck’s recent drive shows how quickly it has moved from a small experiment to a major logistics company. Founded in 2021, the company has expanded into urban markets including Lagos, Abuja, Accra, and Kumasi.

Its network of over 20,000 riders now supports a growing mix of restaurant deliveries, groceries, and everyday essentials.

The latest achievement comes months after Chowdeck secured $9 million in Series A funding, an investment led by Novastar Ventures with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ, and a series of angel investors, including Paystack founders Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi. 

The company said the capital would support its expansion plans in both Nigeria and Ghana and speed up its move into quick commerce.

That strategy, built around dark stores and hyperlocal fulfilment hubs, is designed to cut delivery times. Chowdeck sees it as the backbone of a bigger vision to build what Aluko has previously described as “Africa’s number one super app.”

Africa’s food-delivery sector is expanding at double-digit rates each year, driven by smartphone growth, denser cities, and high demand for convenience. 

While larger global companies such as Jumia Food have struggled to maintain profit, Chowdeck’s locally tuned approach has helped it sidestep many of those challenges.

Aluko, in his message, credited users and partners for the company’s rise. “We are incredibly proud of the technology we’ve built and the logistics network we have established. But most importantly, we are proud of our ecosystem: our customers, our riders, and our vendor partners.” 

He added: “I am really grateful to our team, customers, riders and partners for coming on this journey with us. Thank you so much for coming on this journey with us. It’s still Day 1!”

Competition in Africa’s delivery market is far from settled, but Chowdeck is highly focused on enlarging its lead and testing how far its model can stretch across the continent.