🚲 Chowdeck Acquires Mira, Expanding Into Restaurant Tech

Today’s Menu ☕️

🚲 Chowdeck Acquires Mira, Expanding Into Restaurant Tech Across Africa
💰 PaidHR Raises $1.8m to Digitize Payroll and Financial Services for Africa’s Workforce
👓 Meta and Oakley unveil Oakley Meta HSTN, AI-Powered Performance Eyewear for Athletes
📚 OPay’s ₦1.2 Billion Scholarship Program: A Decade-Long Investment in Nigeria’s Knowledge Economy
🍲 Tech Didn’t Just Disrupt Transport and Banking — It Changed the Kitchen Too

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🚲 ACQUISITION

Chowdeck Acquires Mira, Expanding Into Restaurant Tech Across Africa

Chowdeck, Nigeria’s fast-growing food delivery startup, has acquired Mira, a restaurant management and point-of-sale (POS) platform, to deepen its role across the food value chain. With over one million customers and operations in eight Nigerian cities—and recent expansion into Ghana—Chowdeck aims to evolve from a logistics platform into a full-stack provider for restaurants and food vendors.

Mira, founded by ex-Flutterwave VP Ted Oladele, serves 500+ businesses with tools like inventory management, digital menus, and QR-based ordering. Oladele now joins Chowdeck as Head of Product, and some Mira team members will also transition.

The move allows Chowdeck to address vendor-side inefficiencies and better support restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies. As global players like Glovo expand in Africa, Chowdeck’s vertical integration strategy offers a competitive edge by providing end-to-end digital infrastructure. The challenge now lies in scaling enterprise services while retaining the agility of a consumer delivery startup...…...…continue reading

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💰 FUNDING

PaidHR Raises $1.8m to Digitize Payroll and Financial Services for Africa’s Workforce

Nigerian HR-tech startup PaidHR has secured $1.8 million in seed funding to expand its operations across Africa. Co-founded in 2020 by Seye Bandele and Lekan Omotosho, the company offers an all-in-one HR platform that automates payroll, ensures compliance, and integrates financial tools for SMEs. The round was led by Accion Venture Lab, with support from Zrosk, Chui Ventures, and Zedcrest Capital, bringing PaidHR’s total funding to $2.9 million.

Built for Africa’s unique market needs, PaidHR processes salaries in 49 currencies and supports both local and USD payments. In 2024, it processed ₦29 billion ($18 million) in payroll for over 200 businesses across Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. Key features include Earned Wage Access (EWA) and a multi-currency wallet that boosts financial inclusion and employee flexibility. As Africa’s workforce grows, PaidHR aims to bridge the gap between traditional HR and modern financial empowerment for underserved sectors........……continue reading

👓 TECH ACCESSORIES

Meta and Oakley unveil Oakley Meta HSTN, AI-Powered Performance Eyewear for Athletes

Oakley and Meta have partnered to launch Oakley Meta HSTN, a cutting-edge line of AI-driven performance glasses built for athletes and active users. Combining Oakley’s sports design legacy with Meta’s advanced AI and spatial computing, the glasses deliver a seamless, hands-free digital experience.

Following the success of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, Oakley Meta HSTN offers Ultra HD (3K) video capture, open-ear audio, Meta AI assistant integration, and endurance-focused battery life. Select models feature PRIZM™ Lens Technology to enhance contrast and clarity during sports like surfing, golf, and cycling.

Six RX-ready frame and lens combos are available, with prices starting at $399. A limited-edition gold-trimmed version commemorates Oakley’s 50th anniversary. Athletes like Kylian Mbappé and Patrick Mahomes headline the global campaign.

With Meta’s AI and Oakley’s sports vision, Meta HSTN marks a new chapter in connected wearables, bringing utility, design, and performance together in one innovative product........……continue reading

📚 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONISBILITY

OPay’s ₦1.2 Billion Scholarship Program: A Decade-Long Investment in Nigeria’s Knowledge Economy

OPay has expanded its ₦1.2 billion, 10-year scholarship program to include seven tertiary institutions in Nigeria, demonstrating its commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive education. Launched in 2023, the initiative supports 400 undergraduates annually with ₦300,000 each, covering tuition, books, and essentials—aiming to reach 4,000 students across 20 institutions over a decade.

Current beneficiaries include students from the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ilorin, University of Calabar, Benue State University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Kwara State Polytechnic. OPay goes beyond financial aid by offering mentorship, internships, and digital literacy opportunities.

By focusing on underserved communities and both universities and polytechnics, the program aligns with SDG goals and national development priorities. It also strengthens OPay’s long-term brand affinity with future professionals. As more institutions come onboard, OPay’s initiative could redefine corporate social responsibility in Africa’s education sector through a scalable, impactful, and forward-looking model...……continue reading

 🍲 FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Tech Didn’t Just Disrupt Transport and Banking — It Changed the Kitchen Too

In 2025, Nigeria’s food business has evolved from brick-and-mortar storefronts to digital kitchens run from homes and student dorms. Powered by platforms like Chowdeck and Glovo, food vendors now reach customers with just a phone and a recipe.

Vendors like Amoke Oge, who’s completed over ₦2.3 billion in deliveries without owning a restaurant, and Korede Spaghetti, a student-turned-₦1 billion pasta brand, showcase the shift from hustle to enterprise. These platforms provide income opportunities for women, students, and side-hustlers, bypassing traditional barriers like rent, taxes, and gatekeepers. Chowdeck, with its low fees and vendor-friendly tools, is leading this decentralised culinary economy. Yet, societal bias persists—digital food entrepreneurs are often overlooked as “real businesses.”

This digital food revolution isn’t just about convenience—it’s a form of economic inclusion. The rise of the “Chowdeck chef” challenges classism and proves that innovation, grit, and mobile tech are reshaping entrepreneurship across Africa’s kitchens. ..……continue reading

OTHER STORIES

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