It is no secret that agriculture has been the backbone of the African economy for a long time. The recent rise in the number of agtech service companies only helps to solidify Africa’s position in the global agricultural sector.

The fact that Africa boasts of 1,119 million hectares of agricultural land (40% of the continent’s land area) and is home to 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, certainly does not hurt. As a matter of fact, it is evidence to show that the continent has the potential to not only meet the nutritional needs of its people but feature prominently as a major contributor to global food sustainability.

It provides the continent’s residents with jobs and a means of subsistence. It is no wonder about 65% of the population are smallholder farmers or subsistence farmers if you will. Another interesting fact to note about the African agricultural sector is that at an average of 40%, women play a significant role in the growth of the sector as some countries report even higher rates of women participation.

As the continent moves to strengthen agricultural activities through the growth of agricultural technological (agtech) companies, women yet again, are taking centre stage in driving game-changing innovations that are contributing to better health and nutrition outcomes for all.

While the sector is plagued with productivity, financing and market-related challenges, a few women have thrown their hats into the ring and braving the challenges that come with running a technology-driven agricultural company in Africa. Today we bring you the top 10 companies led by women entrepreneurs running promising African Agtech Companies.

1. Kitovu Technology Company

Why we love them: As an emerging agtech service company, this Nigerian-based startup is providing smallholder farmers analyses and aggregates soil and geo-location data, to provide farmers with information on soil fertility and input recommendation within 72 hours. This is interesting because with changing climatic conditions, now more than ever, farmers are tasked with maintaining and improving crop productivity. Understanding how best to optimize the soil while making the most use of their limited resources is critical to ensuring that smallholder farmers remain resilient.

2. Farm IO

Why we love them: This agtech service company is teaching us that farming does not have to be a strictly rural affair. With the help of precision technology and green-house technology, they are helping transform more Ghanaian urban dwellers into farmers who can farm all year round. They take their bouquet of services one step further by providing a platform for farmers to market their produce. Talk about guaranteed income.

3. Laali Farms

Why we love them: Post-harvest losses are one of the many issues that keep farmers up at night. While over 21% of the continent’s population remains malnourished, Africa loses about $4 billion annually, to post-harvest losses. While non-profit organizations like The Rockefeller Foundation and TechnoServe have been working to solve this challenge in the tomato value chains, we are happy to see a private sector company innovatively addressing this problem. Nigerian startup, Laali farms is helping reduce losses in the fruits and vegetable value chains by processing them into ready-to-use snacks and powders.

4. Kwanza Cocoa

Why we love them: As the world begins to pay more attention to ethically and sustainably sourced foods, we are happy to see this company from Malawi make it a core part of its business strategy with the planting of over 3000 cocoa trees. Kwanza cocoa also crafts amazing chocolates for their local and international clientele.

5. Farm Innovation Nigeria Ltd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why we love them: With a basic mobile phone, Farm Innovation Nigeria is making extension services available to farmers by giving them access to information on Good Agricultural Practices. This agtech service company is also linking farmers to markets and providing them with weather advisory services for climate-smart agriculture. Their livestock application – VetWiz is a game-changer, in that it helps make veterinary services accessible in areas where there is little to no veterinary care available.

6. Nampya Farmers Market

Why we love them: They are “streamlining” the food supply chain through technology-driven food distribution and supply chain systems that connect farmers directly to green grocers. This allows farmers to focus on what they know how to do best – grow food. Getting the food from the farm to the table in this manner ensures post-harvest loss is reduced, food remains affordable and farmers can earn more for their labour.

7. Farm on Wheels

Why we love them: Ask any farmer what their major challenge is and you will find this as one of the top 3 answers – access to finance. With more businesses like based Farm on Wheels, addressing this challenge through innovative farmer financing and market linkage solutions, Nigerian smallholder farmers can worry about one less thing.

8. Farmer Tribe

Why we love them: Quality agricultural inputs have a positive significant impact on the crop yield and consequently the income of the farmer. It also contributes to food sufficiency. We are excited to see Ghanaian startup – Farmer Tribe addressing the problem of access to quality inputs for smallholder farmers as an agtech service company. Working across 65 communities, they have distributed over  22 metric tons of seeds and 1,660 tons of fertilizer.

9. Happy Coffee

Why we love them: The global coffee industry is worth over $200 billion USD and this pioneering Nigerian Coffee brand is working to ensure Nigeria gets a slice of the pie or should we say a taste of the action. With over 22 coffee-producing states across Nigeria, Happy coffee is building a community of coffee drinkers while drawing attention to the largely untapped potential of the Nigerian coffee industry.

10. Traders of Africa

Why we love them: Although not exclusively on the list of African Agtech service companies, Traders of Africa is helping local Nigerian farmers solve the problem of access to markets by simplifying the intra-continental trade of agricultural commodities.

 

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