Nigerian Startups Win $450K for Farmers and Climate

Two Nigerian startups are proving that solving real problems for farmers can attract serious investment and create lasting change.

Trade Lenda and AirSmat just secured a combined $450,000 from Village Capital's Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility. The funding marks Village Capital's first investment in Nigeria after backing startups in Ghana earlier this year.

Trade Lenda, founded by Adeshina Adewumi, provides digital financial services designed specifically for small businesses and farmers. The platform offers business loans, embedded finance options, and Sharia-compliant financing to meet the diverse needs of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

The numbers tell an impressive story. Trade Lenda has already supported more than 260,000 customers across five Nigerian regions, with women making up 66% of its user base.

AirSmat takes a different approach to helping farmers. Founded by Soji Sanyaolu, the climate-tech startup converts agricultural waste into biochar-based fertilizer that improves soil health while creating carbon-market opportunities for farmers.

The funding will help AirSmat complete and commission a commercial factory, significantly expanding its production capacity. That means more farmers will have access to affordable, sustainable fertilizer made from materials that would otherwise go to waste.

The Ripple Effect

These investments represent more than just two startups getting funding. They show how African founders are building solutions tailored to local challenges while attracting international support.

Trade Lenda's focus on women entrepreneurs addresses a critical gap in financial access. AirSmat's approach tackles both agricultural productivity and climate change simultaneously, turning a waste problem into a revenue opportunity for farmers.

Africa Fintech Foundry sourced both investments for Village Capital, demonstrating how local ecosystem builders are connecting promising startups with the right funding partners. As these companies scale, thousands more farmers and small business owners will gain access to tools that were previously out of reach.

Two startups, one mission: proving that investing in Africa's farmers creates wins for everyone.