Swoop Raises $7.3M Seed to Launch in Nigeria and Build a Super App

Aubrey Niederhoffer, Swoop Founder & CEO

Eswatini‑based startup Swoop has raised an impressive $7.3 million seed round, marking its first international expansion into Nigeria. This bold move signals the company’s ambition to build a pan‑African super app, beginning with food delivery services. The investment reflects growing confidence in Africa’s digital economy and Swoop’s potential to capture a share of Nigeria’s fast‑growing consumer market, starting in Lagos.

Co-founded by Aubrey Niederhoffer in August 2025, Swoop was originally launched under the name Thumo in Eswatini. The name was later changed to Swoop as the startup expanded its vision to become a regional “super app” and relocated its primary operations to Lagos, Nigeria, in late 2025.

Strategic Entry into Lagos

Swoop is debuting in Yaba, one of Lagos’s busiest neighborhoods, directly competing with established players like Chowdeck and Glovo. By focusing first on food delivery, Swoop is laying the groundwork for a broader multi‑service platform. This calculated entry into a competitive market is designed to prove its model, build traction, and establish credibility before scaling nationwide.

The seed round is among the largest for an African consumer startup, attracting top Silicon Valley investors including Long Journey, Variant, Version One, and Soma Capital. Their participation underscores strong international belief in Swoop’s vision and provides the financial runway needed for user acquisition, infrastructure development, and long‑term growth.

Swoop’s strategy is to “grow the pie” rather than fight for existing users. Nigerian Country Manager Demola Adesina emphasized that the company aims to convert non‑consumers by addressing barriers to adoption. With Nigeria’s food delivery sector still under‑penetrated, Swoop sees vast untapped potential to expand the market and bring new users into the ecosystem.

Food delivery is only the beginning. Swoop plans to leverage daily engagement from food orders to build loyalty and later introduce groceries, ride‑hailing, and digital payments. This step‑by‑step approach positions Swoop to evolve into a pan‑African super app, driven by consumer demand and data insights.

Operating on an asset‑light framework, Swoop uses independent riders who keep 100% of their delivery fees. Revenue comes from restaurant commissions and a 7% customer handling fee. While profitability is not the immediate focus, this model is designed for scalability and creates economic opportunities for gig workers.

Navigating Challenges

Nigeria’s food delivery market has proven difficult for giants like Jumia Food and Bolt Food, which exited due to high logistics and marketing costs. Swoop’s success will depend on its ability to manage costs, scale sustainably, and achieve profitability where others have struggled.

With $7.3M in seed funding, strong investor backing, and a bold market‑expansion strategy, Swoop is well‑positioned to make its mark in Nigeria. The journey from food delivery to a pan‑African super app will be challenging, but it represents one of the most exciting opportunities in Africa’s digital economy.

Source: Innovation Village