The Evolving African Agtech Landscape: 2025 Insights
As of 2025, investments in the African agtech sector have shown signs of slowing down, with funding dropping nearly 20% to below $170 million. This decline is observed alongside a 10% decrease in the number of deals, according to the "State of Agtech Investment in Africa 2025" report by Briter and AgBase. Despite these challenges, there remains a vibrant spectrum of companies that continue to attract significant capital, underscoring sustained investor interest in innovative solutions for food security, farmer income enhancement, and modernization of agricultural supply chains.
Prominent Agtech Startups Shaping the Future
Amidst fluctuating investment figures, several African agtech and foodtech startups have emerged as champions, raising tens of millions of dollars and striving to reformulate food production, distribution, and financing across the continent. Below are some of the most notable players in this evolving landscape.
1. Twiga Foods — $147M+
Twiga Foods, co-founded by Grant Brooke and Peter Njonjo, aims to modernize Kenya’s fresh produce supply chain. By linking smallholder farmers directly with retailers through a digital marketplace and efficient logistics, Twiga eliminates traditional middlemen, minimizes costs, and enhances delivery reliability. Retailers utilize Twiga’s mobile platform to conveniently order fruits and vegetables for next-day delivery.
2. Wasoko — $143M+
Wasoko, previously known as Sokowatch, is a B2B commerce platform co-founded by Daniel Yu and Nikhil Goel. Catering to informal retailers across Africa, it enables shop owners to order consumer goods via mobile and delivers from local warehouses. Wasoko also offers working capital and credit, improving restocking efficiency and addressing inefficiencies in fragmented supply chains through its merger with MaxAB.
3. MaxAB — $100M
Founded by Belal El Megharbel and Mohamed Benhalim, MaxAB serves as a B2B supply chain platform connecting grocery manufacturers with small retail shops in Egypt. Shop owners can place orders and receive rapid deliveries while accessing credit. By reducing intermediaries, MaxAB improves product availability and distribution efficiency, utilizing data analytics to forecast demand.
4. Gro Intelligence — $85M
Gro Intelligence, founded by Sara Menker, focuses on transforming insights into global agriculture using AI and machine learning. The company aggregates extensive datasets on crops, climate, soil, and market trends to help various stakeholders—including businesses, governments, and investors—predict food production, pricing, and associated risks.
5. Apollo Agriculture — $78M+
Apollo Agriculture, co-founded by Eli Pollak, Benjamin Njenga, and Earl St Sauver, supports smallholder farmers with financing, inputs, and advisory services through a digital platform. By leveraging machine learning and satellite data, the company assesses creditworthiness and provides financing for essential agricultural inputs while offering personalized guidance to enhance crop yields.
6. SunCulture — $76M
SunCulture, established by Samir Ibrahim, specializes in solar-powered irrigation solutions aimed at smallholder farmers. The company’s technology allows farmers to access water sustainably, enhancing crop productivity while offering flexible financing options through mobile payments.
7. ThriveAgric — $68M+
Founded by Uka Eje and Ayodeji Arikawe, ThriveAgric is dedicated to uplifting smallholder farmers by connecting them to financing, training, and market access. Its digital platform facilitates the availability of superior seeds, fertilizers, and advisory services while allowing investors to fund farming projects.
8. Victory Farms — $62M+
Victory Farms, co-founded by Joseph Rehmann and Steve Moran, specializes in sustainable aquaculture, particularly in tilapia production. Operating large-scale fish farms, the company employs technology for enhanced management of feeding and harvesting while overseeing distribution to improve market access for affordable protein.
9. One Acre Fund — $57M+
Launched by Andrew Youn, John Gachunga, and Eric Pohlman, One Acre Fund supports smallholder farmers through financing and agricultural training, offering seeds and fertilizers on credit. This model encourages adoption of modern agricultural practices, boosting productivity and income post-harvest.
10. Systema.bio — $56M+
Co-founded by a group of entrepreneurs aimed at promoting sustainability, Systema.bio specializes in biodigester technologies that convert organic waste into clean cooking gas and organic fertilizers. This process reduces reliance on traditional fuel sources while enhancing soil health and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices among farmers.
11. Komaza — $55M+
Founded by Tevis Howard, Komaza works to empower smallholder farmers in Kenya by enabling them to cultivate trees commercially through a distributed forestry model. The company provides seedlings and training, optimizing productivity with satellite technology and ensuring a sustainable approach to forestry.
12. Breadfast — $50M
Co-founded by Mostafa Amin, Muhammad Habib, and Abdallah Nofal, Breadfast operates as an online grocery delivery service in Egypt. The company manages its supply chain and bakeries, delivering a wide range of products including bread and dairy through a user-friendly mobile platform.
Conclusion
While recent data indicates a downturn in investment, the continued success of these agtech startups highlights a resilient and dynamic marketplace. These companies not only exhibit strong investor interest but also aim to tackle critical challenges in food security and agricultural modernization across Africa. For further insights into funding trends, visit Briter or AgBase.
