The growth of these agritech companies is a step towards transforming Nigeria's agricultural sector.

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Nigeria's economy, contributing 24.43% to its GDP, and employing millions of people

Despite this, Nigeria is only utilising less than half of its 73 million hectares of arable land. Challenges like poor infrastructure, limited funding, unreliable supply chains, and a lack of modern tools for smallholder farmers have prevented the sector from reaching its potential. However, a new wave of agritech startups is driving change by providing digital solutions, data, and smart tools to empower farmers, improve yields, and reduce waste.

As of 2024, Nigeria is home to 230 agritech startups, a significant increase from just 23 in 2022. Despite the sector's growth, agritech still lags in funding compared to fintech. In 2024, agritech startups across Africa raised US$65mn, with the majority directed toward marketplaces and fintech-related agritech. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s fintech sector has attracted substantial investments, highlighting the imbalance between agriculture’s importance to the economy and its investment levels.

Despite the hurdles in market penetration and funding, several agritech startups are making significant strides. One notable example is Thrive Agric, founded in 2017, which helps farmers access financing, inputs, and markets. Thrive Agric has assisted over 500,000 farmers and facilitated the production of more than 1.5 million metric tonnes of grains. Although it faced setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company raised US$56.4mn in 2022 to expand its reach, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Another player, Releaf, focuses on the mechanisation of agriculture, starting with oil palm processing. By developing the Kraken, a machine that de-shells palm nuts faster and more efficiently, Releaf has helped smallholder farmers and food factories reduce waste and improve productivity. The startup raised US$4.2mn in seed funding in 2021.

ColdHubs addresses the issue of perishable food loss by providing solar-powered cold storage solutions. Founded in 2015, ColdHubs allows farmers and vendors to store fresh produce for up to 21 days, cutting down food waste and increasing income. Despite not having public records of funding, ColdHubs has earned global recognition, including a US$110,000 grant.

Crop2Cash, established in 2018, bridges the financial gap for smallholder farmers by providing a USSD-based platform for digital banking and financial services. With more than 500,000 farmers benefiting from the platform, Crop2Cash has raised funds from Google for Startups and Village Capital to expand its services.

Founded in 2017, AgroMall focuses on enhancing farmers’ access to digital financial services and agronomic advice. Its platform, AgroMall Digital Agriculture Platform (ADAP), helps farmers gain better access to markets, crop insurance, and input credits, improving transparency in the agricultural value chain.

Despite the progress these startups are making, insecurity remains a major challenge. Farmers in northern and central Nigeria are often displaced by violence, disrupting harvest cycles and increasing operational costs. These security risks can limit the potential of agritech, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to tackling agricultural challenges.

The growth of these agritech companies is a step towards transforming Nigeria's agricultural sector. Innovations that empower farmers, improve food security, and reduce waste are increasingly vital, and the upcoming Lagos Startup Expo 2.0, scheduled for June 18-19, 2025, will offer a platform to showcase these solutions.

Building a digital infrastructure for sustainable growth.

As Namibia gears up for the rollout of its Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), digital transformation stands out as one of the country’s most ambitious goals.

Although much of the public focus has been on food security, agriculture, and manufacturing, NDP6 quietly lays out a detailed strategy aimed at turning Namibia into a digital economy by 2030.

This transformation will touch all sectors—from classrooms and government departments to rural communities. The plan, which spans from 2025/26 to 2029/30, recognises digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and inclusive education as vital foundations for sustainable national development.

According to the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (IMEP), internet penetration is set to rise dramatically—from 53% today to 90% by 2030. The goal is to create a digitally connected society where improved access to technology, currently at 28%, will jump to 70%.

“By 2030, Namibia will be a player in the global digital economy,” the NDP6 IMEP states.

One of the centrepieces of this shift is the establishment of a National Data Centre, which will securely manage and store government information. The plan describes it as a core piece of national infrastructure, “supporting government operations, public services and private sector innovation.” It’s also a step toward securing data sovereignty, as it ensures sensitive national data remains within Namibian borders.

Cybersecurity is another critical area of focus. Namibia currently scores just 37 in cybersecurity readiness, but NDP6 is aiming to raise that to 65 by 2030. “To achieve this, Namibia will enact national cybersecurity legislation and strengthen the capacity of the Namibia Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (Nam-CSIRT),” the document states. Nam-CSIRT will be responsible for detecting and managing cyber threats across both public and private sectors.

Another major step is introducing artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity education in schools and universities. “The programme aims to support the development of AI and cybersecurity curriculum for basic and higher education institutions,” the plan outlines. This includes digital literacy training to help students understand emerging technologies and navigate digital risks.

The government also plans to close the digital gap between urban and rural communities. Underserved areas will receive upgraded broadband infrastructure, ICT-ready schools, and community internet hubs. “Namibia’s digital transformation cannot succeed if it excludes rural communities,” the strategy notes. “Affordable access, local content and digital inclusion will be the foundation of an equitable digital economy.”

Currently, just 13 public institutions offer digital services. NDP6 aims for 100% digitalisation of government services by 2029/30, enabling citizens to access essential public functions online. The implementation of the Access to Information Act will further support this goal, promoting transparent, efficient and responsive governance.

AI to help smallholder farmers increase productivity and build resilience.

Young African agripreneurs are leading the way in using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle food security issues and modernise agrifood systems across the continent.

In a recent X Spaces live event hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Office for Africa, three tech-savvy innovators from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Kenya shared how they are applying AI to help smallholder farmers increase productivity and build resilience.

The one-hour digital conversation drew nearly 200 participants and shed light on the power of youth-driven innovation in agriculture. The event formed part of FAO’s “Youth on the Frontier of Agrifood Systems” series, which aims to amplify the voices and efforts of young leaders in shaping Africa’s food future.

Among the featured entrepreneurs was Tafadzwa Chikwereti from Zimbabwe, the founder of eAgro. His company developed CropFix, a mobile AI platform that diagnoses pests, diseases, and nutrient issues using photos taken by farmers. Speaking during the session, he stressed the importance of accessibility: “The biggest challenge is rural connectivity and digital literacy. Bundling AI tools with accessible platforms is crucial for improving harvests.” He added, “We deliver these insights using platforms including SMS text messages, which are crucial for smallholder farmers without internet or smartphones.”

From Nigeria, Femi Adekoya—known as the “Flying Farmer”—spoke about how he’s combining drones and AI at Integrated Aerial Precision to advance precision agriculture. He explained: “It means applying the right thing at the right time in the right place with the right intensity. That is sustainable agriculture.” Adekoya also trains young people through the Precision Field Academy and collaborates with universities across Nigeria. “We believe African youth can be equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead this work,” he said.

Kenyan agripreneur Lavender Birike, founder of Klima360, highlighted how her platform blends climate, soil, and market data using AI to forecast risks and help both farmers and insurers make better decisions. She called for improved access to open data: “We have a lot of research data sitting in different places. If we could pass policies that enable access and provide safety frameworks, it would open opportunities for young people to develop localised solutions.” She also spoke on gender inclusion in tech: “This is an opportunity for women to be involved from the beginning.”

FAO Digital Agriculture specialist Ken Lohento closed the event by stressing that collaboration between governments, academia, private sectors, and local communities is essential to scale these innovations. He pointed to FAO initiatives like the Fostering Digital Villages (FDiVi) project as examples of how rural areas can benefit from digital and AI technologies.

Cotton farmers are seeing their livelihoods transformed through the adoption of climate-smart farming techniques.

In rural Zambia, cotton farmers are seeing their livelihoods transformed through the adoption of climate-smart farming techniques.

Thanks to a partnership involving the European Union, African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, and the International Trade Centre (ITC), farming communities in Magoye and Ngwezi have more than doubled their cotton yields and significantly improved their quality of life.

Prior to 2021, smallholder cotton farmers in these regions faced increasingly poor harvests, depleted soils, and little access to sustainable agricultural practices. Today, through the ITC-led EU/ACP-funded project, those same farmers are thriving. Many have reported increased cotton yields, from as few as six bales per season to as many as 30. This jump in productivity has enabled them to reinvest in livestock, education, and their future resilience.

At the heart of this transformation are two natural and environmentally sound soil enhancement methods: Biochar and Bokashi. These techniques have played a major role in regenerating soil fertility and improving crop health. Biochar enhances the soil’s ability to retain water and store carbon, while Bokashi allows farmers to convert organic waste into a nutrient-rich compost that feeds crops and reduces reliance on chemical inputs. Both approaches are sustainable, cost-effective, and well-suited to the local environment.

The project, running from 2021 to 2025, has so far trained over 130,000 farmers across three regions in Zambia. In the pilot plots, there has been 100% adoption of Biochar, Bokashi, and other climate-resilient methods. The results have been striking-not only in terms of agricultural yield but also in wider social and economic impact. Families are now investing in cows, goats, and plough animals. Household incomes have grown, and many families are now able to afford school fees and improve access to education for their children.

By adopting these climate-smart techniques, farmers have been able to secure their livelihoods and build long-term resilience in the face of climate change. The success of the project highlights the power of combining traditional knowledge with innovative, sustainable farming practices. It also underscores the importance of collaboration between international organisations and local communities.

This shift is more than just agricultural-it’s about empowerment, economic independence, and environmental responsibility. Through tools like Biochar and Bokashi, Zambian cotton farmers are not only rebuilding their soils but also their futures.