In a significant move toward transforming Africa’s agricultural trade, South African agri-tech company Nile has raised ZAR200 million (US$11.3 million) to deepen its digital infrastructure across Southern Africa. The investment underscores a rising wave of investor interest in platforms that promise to modernize food systems in emerging markets.
The round, led by Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund, alongside FMO, the Dutch development bank, and Platform Investment Partners, signals continued belief in Nile’s mission: to simplify and digitize how African farmers access markets, tools, and money. This latest injection brings Nile’s total funding to US$16.4 million, building on the $5.1 million it previously secured in 2022.
From Chaos to Connectivity
Agricultural trade in Africa is notoriously fragmented. From inconsistent pricing and quality standards to delays in payment and high levels of food waste, the challenges farmers face are both structural and persistent. Nile was created in 2021 to tackle those inefficiencies by building a digital bridge between farmers and the broader value chain.
What began as an online marketplace for fresh produce has grown into a multifaceted platform. Today, Nile connects growers with buyers, logistics providers, input suppliers, and even lenders. Through one interface, farmers can sell crops, source farm inputs like fertiliser and packaging, and get paid faster than traditional supply chains typically allow.
Co-founder Louis de Kock describes the evolution of the business as organic. “Once we created trust with farmers through trade, we realised we could do more—help them access everything they need to thrive, not just sell produce.”
Enabling Regional Trade, Digitally
While headquartered in South Africa, Nile’s footprint now stretches across Southern Africa. Farmers in neighboring countries use the platform to trade with buyers in Africa, as well as overseas markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. By digitizing logistics and documentation, Nile is enabling cross-border agricultural trade with fewer barriers and less friction.
The platform also shortens the time between harvest and payment—a critical pain point for most farmers. Nile guarantees instant payments upon delivery, a feature that helps smallholders manage cash flow during peak production periods.
With the new funding, Nile plans to expand its services to reach more producers in underserved regions, broaden its logistics network, and enhance financial services such as working capital and input financing.
A Wider Trend in Agri-Digital Finance
Nile’s growth reflects a wider trend in the rise of agri-marketplaces and agri-fintech platforms. In 2024, investment in such technologies across emerging markets surged by 77%, according to AgFunder, highlighting their role in improving food system resilience and access to finance.
“Platforms like Nile are creating the digital rails for agricultural economies that have long operated offline,” said Henry Rahmann, Investment Officer at AfricInvest. “This is about more than just technology—it’s about economic inclusion.”
Building Loyalty Through Services
Rather than focusing solely on transactions, Nile is betting on ecosystem loyalty. Farmers who use the platform to trade are increasingly adopting other services like input procurement and embedded credit. As Nile expands, its strategy hinges on making life easier for farmers by bundling services into one accessible, reliable digital channel.
In a continent where food production is abundant but supply chains are inefficient, Nile’s model may well define the future of African agriculture—digitally connected, farmer-first, and scalable beyond borders.
