Nigeria’s agricultural sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by young entrepreneurs who are leveraging technology to address critical issues such as food insecurity, post-harvest losses, and market inefficiencies. Through the use of agritech, data analytics, and climate-smart farming techniques, these innovators are empowering smallholder farmers, improving productivity, and creating employment opportunities.
Uka Eje, the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of ThriveAgric, is one such entrepreneur. Growing up in Benue State, Eje witnessed the struggles of smallholder farmers firsthand, including limited access to quality inputs, financing, and reliable markets. This experience sparked his desire to drive change. ThriveAgric’s platform allows investors to fund farming projects in exchange for a share of the profits, providing farmers with access to financial services, data-driven insights, and best practices. The platform also ensures access to premium local and international markets, securing fair prices and stable outlets for farmers’ produce.
Ayodeji Balogun, the Group CEO of AFEX Commodities Exchange Limited, is another key figure in this transformation. With a background in technology and marketing, Balogun identified critical gaps in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and bridged them through innovative digital solutions. He founded Farmcrowdy in 2016 to connect smallholder farmers to finance, technology, and markets. The platform has impacted over 500,000 farmers across Nigeria, cultivated thousands of acres of farmland, and significantly contributed to food security by delivering millions of kilogrammes of food to markets.
Despite the successes, these entrepreneurs have faced numerous challenges, including logistics issues, poor infrastructure, insufficient storage facilities, inadequate training, and difficulty securing financing in a high-risk sector. However, under their leadership, companies like ThriveAgric and Farmcrowdy have achieved significant milestones, such as pioneering the use of technology to enhance farming profitability and promoting agribusiness as a viable career path.
These innovations are not only enhancing food security and creating jobs but also making agriculture more attractive to young Nigerians. Through strategic partnerships and innovative funding models, these companies continue to grow, advancing the vision of a sustainable and profitable agricultural future for Africa.
