Agriculture drives Africa, no doubt. Matter of fact, data shows that in 2021, about 52% of Africans were active in the agricultural sector. This positions Africa as a serious player in the sector. But who are the forces behind this agricultural surge?

Here are 9 companies you should know about.

Synnefa (Kenya)

Say, you’re a smallholder farmer in Kenya struggling to maximize your crop yield. The traditional methods you’ve been using might be labor-intensive and reliant on unpredictable rainfall. This is where Synnefa comes in.

They specialize in building affordable, modern greenhouses specifically designed for Africa’s climate. These greenhouses are not your typical high-tech structures – Synnefa uses locally-sourced materials and solar-powered sensors to create a solution that’s both effective and accessible.

Here’s what makes Synnefa so practical for Kenyan farmers:

Affordable Greenhouses: Their greenhouses are built with local materials and ingenious designs, making them significantly cheaper than traditional greenhouses.

Drip Irrigation:Synnefa come equipped with drip irrigation systems, which deliver water directly to the roots of plants, minimizing water waste – a major concern for Kenyan farmers.

Solar-Powered Technology: They utilize solar-powered sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, and other vital growing conditions inside the greenhouse, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions to optimize plant growth.

By using a Synnefa, Kenyan farmers can expect to see increased crop yields, reduced water usage, and greater protection of their crops from harsh weather conditions. This translates to higher profits and a more sustainable way of farming.

Apollo Agriculture

Being a small-scale farmer can be tough. You often lack access to the latest farming techniques, essential resources, and expert advice. However, Apollo agriculture can help. They’re an Agritech company that empowers Kenyan farmers with the tools they need to succeed through their mobile app.

Here’s how Apollo Agriculture uses technology to benefit Kenyan farmers:

Precision Advice: Their app uses agronomic machine learning to analyze data like soil conditions, weather patterns, and planting history. This allows them to provide farmers with customized advice on what crops to plant, when to plant them, and how to best care for them.

Satellite Scouting: Apollo Agriculture leverages satellite data to remotely monitor farms for potential problems like pests or diseases. This allows farmers to take early action and protect their crops.

Mobile Money Integration: The app integrates with mobile money platforms like M-Pesa, making it easier for farmers to access financing for seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs.

Apollo Agriculture gives Kenyan farmers access to the information and resources they need to make informed decisions, improve their yields, and ultimately increase their profits.

Thrive Agric (Nigeria)

Imagine struggling to get the financing you need to buy quality seeds or dreading the uncertainty of selling your harvest at a fair price. These are common challenges faced by many Nigerian farmers. Thrive Agric tackles these issues head-on by providing a comprehensive solution for small-scale farmers.

Here’s what makes Thrive Agric so valuable for Nigerian farmers:

Financial Access: Thrive Agric connects farmers with lenders and facilitates access to financing for essential farm inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and equipment. This allows farmers to invest in their farms and improve their yields.

Guaranteed Market Access: Thrive Agric removes the middleman by directly connecting farmers with a network of reliable buyers. This ensures farmers get fair prices for their crops, eliminating the uncertainty and potential exploitation of traditional market channels.

Data-Driven Insights: Thrive Agric uses data analytics to provide farmers with valuable insights on market trends, pricing information, and best agricultural practices. This empowers farmers to make informed decisions and maximize their profits.

By using Thrive Agric’s platform, Nigerian farmers gain access to essential resources, secure fair market prices, and make data-driven decisions – all contributing to a more sustainable and profitable agricultural future.

Hello Tractor (Nigeria)

Tractors are powerful tools that can significantly increase agricultural productivity. However, for many smallholder farmers in Nigeria, access to tractors is often limited due to high costs and logistical challenges.

Hello Tractor solves this problem with a clever solution – they’ve been nicknamed the “Uber for Tractors.” Here’s how Hello Tractor connects farmers with tractors in Nigeria:

Mobile App for Easy Booking: Farmers simply use a user-friendly mobile app to locate available tractors in their area, schedule tractor services, and negotiate rates with tractor owners directly.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity: By making tractors more accessible and affordable, Hello Tractor helps farmers get their land prepared, plant crops faster, and ultimately harvest more.

Economic Empowerment: The platform also benefits tractor owners by creating new income opportunities and streamlining the process of finding clients.

Hello Tractor’s innovative approach is revolutionizing access to mechanization for Nigerian farmers. This not only boosts agricultural production but also empowers farmers and contributes to a more efficient and profitable agricultural sector.

Bulrush Agritech (South Africa)

Many livestock farmers, especially small-scale ones, rely on traditional practices passed down through generations. While valuable, these methods might not always be the most efficient or sustainable. Bulrush Agritech is a South African company that’s putting the “smart” in smartphone farming by equipping farmers with a user-friendly digital tool.

Here’s how Bulrush Agritech’s digital tool empowers South African farmers:

Simple and Accessible: This isn’t a complicated software program – Bulrush Agritech’s tool is designed to be easy to use on a smartphone or tablet. The interface is user-friendly and requires no special technical knowledge.

Improved Profitability: The tool helps farmers track their expenses, analyze production data, and identify areas for improvement. This allows them to make informed decisions about resource allocation and optimize their farming practices for better profitability.

Regenerative Practices: Bulrush Agritech promotes sustainable livestock farming techniques through their tool. Farmers can learn about practices like rotational grazing and cover cropping, which improve soil health and lead to long-term agricultural sustainability.

By using Bulrush Agritech’s digital tool, South African farmers can gain valuable insights into their operations, improve their decision-making, and ultimately achieve greater profitability and environmental responsibility.

AgriProtein (South Africa)

Food waste is a major global problem, and Africa is no exception. AgriProtein tackles this challenge head-on with a brilliant solution – they turn waste into a valuable resource for the agricultural sector. Imagine reducing waste and feeding livestock at the same time!

Here’s how AgriProtein uses insects to convert waste into protein-rich animal feed in South Africa:

Waste as Raw Material: AgriProtein collects organic waste from various sources like food scraps and restaurant leftovers.

Insect Power: They use specially-bred black soldier fly larvae to break down the organic waste. These larvae thrive on the waste and grow rapidly, becoming a protein-rich resource.

Sustainable Products: Once processed, the insect larvae are turned into nutritious meal used in animal feed. AgriProtein also produces natural oil and organic soil enhancer from the waste, offering a range of sustainable products.

By transforming waste into a valuable agricultural input, AgriProtein is promoting a circular economy in South Africa. They’re not only reducing waste but also providing a sustainable and eco-friendly protein source for the livestock industry.

iProcure (Multiple African Countries)

Imagine being a farmer struggling to find essential agricultural supplies like seeds, fertilizers, and tools at a fair price. Often, smallholder farmers have limited options and might be forced to pay inflated prices through traditional channels.

This is where iProcure steps in. They’re the largest agricultural supply chain platform in rural Africa, aiming to empower farmers by connecting them directly with input suppliers.

Here’s how iProcure benefits farmers across Africa:

Competitive Prices: By bypassing middlemen, iProcure connects farmers directly with input suppliers, allowing them to access essential agricultural supplies at more competitive prices.

Wider Selection: The platform offers a wide variety of products from different suppliers, giving farmers more choice and flexibility when purchasing inputs for their crops.

Transparency and Convenience: iProcure uses a transparent pricing system and a user-friendly platform, making it easier for farmers to compare prices and place orders for the supplies they need.

By creating a direct link between farmers and input suppliers, iProcure helps to improve access to essential agricultural supplies, reduce costs for farmers, and ultimately contribute to increased agricultural productivity across Africa.

Releaf (Nigeria)

Imagine tons of fresh fruits and vegetables going to waste after harvest due to a lack of proper processing and storage facilities. This is a significant challenge in Africa, leading to food insecurity and economic losses. Releaf, a Nigerian Agritech startup, is tackling this issue head-on by focusing on improving efficiency in the food processing sector.

Here’s how Releaf’s innovative solutions are making a difference in Nigeria:

Customized Food Processing Machinery: Releaf doesn’t just sell generic equipment – they design and manufacture food processing machinery specifically tailored to the needs of African food processing factories. This ensures the machines are efficient, appropriate for the types of crops grown locally, and address the unique challenges of the African food processing sector.

Focus on Reducing Post-Harvest Losses: Their machinery is designed to minimize spoilage and waste during processing. This could involve solutions like improved sorting and cleaning equipment, efficient drying and milling technologies, or effective storage and packaging systems.

Boosting Productivity and Profitability: By providing efficient food processing machinery, Releaf helps factories process larger quantities of produce while minimizing waste. This translates to increased productivity, reduced costs, and ultimately, higher profits for food processing businesses.

Releaf’s innovative approach is not just about building machines – it’s about creating a more sustainable and efficient food processing sector in Nigeria. This not only reduces food waste but also contributes to food security and economic growth.

Grainpulse (Uganda)

Food security is a critical concern across Africa, and Grainpulse, a Ugandan Agritech company, is working towards a solution. They go beyond simply providing seeds and fertilizers – they offer a comprehensive approach that combines working directly with farmers and utilizing data analytics to improve food production and security.

Here’s how Grainpulse empowers smallholder farmers in Uganda:

Supporting Farmers Throughout the Cycle: Grainpulse works closely with smallholder farmers, providing them with training on improved agricultural practices, access to quality seeds and fertilizers, and market linkages to sell their crops.

Data-Driven Decision Making: They leverage data analytics to gather insights on factors like soil quality, weather patterns, and market trends. This information is then used to provide farmers with personalized advice on crop selection, planting times, and resource allocation.

Promoting Sustainable Practices: Grainpulse encourages farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural techniques like conservation agriculture and crop rotation. This not only improves soil health and crop yields but also promotes long-term food security.

By combining practical support with data-driven insights, Grainpulse empowers Ugandan farmers to make informed decisions, improve their yields, and contribute to a more secure and sustainable food system.

And there you have it. Ten of the best. If you liked what you read, there is more to come. Subscribe to our email newsletter so you never miss the juice.