In Southern Nigeria, the spirit of innovation has long shaped its identity. The region has become a strong base for thriving creativity and bold ideas, not just in tech but also in agritech. From Lagos to Owerri to Uyo, a wave of tech-driven progress is unfolding fast. Startups, digital hubs, and young creators are redefining how agrifood and technology work together. No doubt, this rise will turn agritech into a powerful driver for change in the region for years to come.
6 Rising Agritech Players Across Southern Nigeria
Several startups in the South stand out for turning bold ideas into real solutions for farmers and food systems. Here are a few of them:
1. Releaf
| CATEGORY | DETAILS |
| Focus | Palm nut processing technology and supply chain financing |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Lagos | Uyo |
| Stage | Pre-Series A / Seed + grant-backed |
In an interview with AgFunder News, co-founder Ikenna Nzewi shared Releaf’s objective: to reduce the burden of labour for farmers so that they can spend their time focusing on production, and factories can focus their time on processing.
The company specialises in mechanised palm nut processing to reduce post-harvest losses and improve smallholder farmers’ supply chain efficiency. Releaf’s model stretches across the entire palm oil value chain, and their solutions enable farmers to earn more for their oil by selling it to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) companies and other buyers.
As of 2021, the company has worked with 2,000 smallholder palm farmers and aims to reach over 10,000 in the next couple of years.
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2. AirSmart
| CATEGORY | DETAILS |
| Focus | Software company |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Ikoyi, Lagos | London, UK |
| Stage | Growth |
AirSmat develops software solutions that help farmers improve crop yields through drones and artificial intelligence (AI). Its work focuses on using aerial data to deliver accurate insights into crop health, soil conditions, and farm productivity.
According to Adeoluwa Ibikunle, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, AirSmat’s goal is to make farming more efficient through data-backed decisions. Its AI-powered platform gives farmers real-time information about their farmlands—helping them act faster, cut losses, and boost output.
Beyond Nigeria, AirSmat has extended its reach to other parts of West Africa like Côte d’Ivoire. It was accepted into the NVIDIA Inception program, an accelerator that supports startups in AI and data science. So far, the company has mapped and monitored over 200,000 acres of farmland and plans to expand its coverage to more than 4 million acres in the near future.
3. Ecotutu
| CATEGORY | DETAILS |
| Focus | Solar-powered cold storage |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Gbagada, Lagos State |
| Stage | Funding raised |
Through its solar-powered cold chain systems, Ecotutu aims to tackle the issue of food spoilage and post-harvest loss among farmers and traders. The company provides affordable and reliable cold storage that allows perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables to stay fresh for longer periods. Its work supports farmers, aggregators, and traders who need sustainable storage and transport solutions to protect their produce and income.
Ecotutu’s main product is a stand-alone, solar-powered walk-in cold room that uses phase-change technology suited to local environments. The company also supports the preservation and delivery of medicines and vaccines through temperature controlled logistics. So far, Ecotutu has served more than 4,000 farmers and agribusinesses and continues to expand its reach across Nigeria’s food and health sectors.
4. ColdHubs
| CATEGORY | DETAILS |
| Focus | Solar-powered cold storage for perishable food |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Owerri |
| Stage | Growth / impact-backed |
ColdHubs is the largest cold chain network in Nigeria, and it has become a major force in tackling food spoilage across the country. The company builds walk-in, solar-powered cold rooms that allow farmers and market vendors to store perishable produce for several days instead of just hours.
The company also connects its cold storage and IcePoints with temperature-controlled transport services to ensure that fresh produce and other sensitive goods reach their destinations in good condition. As of 2024, ColdHubs had deployed 58 cold room units across 22 states, reaching more than 11,000 users and saving over 13 million kilograms of food from spoilage.
5. Crop2Cash
| CATEGORY | DETAILS |
| Focus | Financial and digital solutions for smallholder farmers |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Ibadan |
| Stage | Seed |
Crop2Cash provides a digital platform that helps farmers access finance and buy verified inputs directly from trusted sources. Through its USSD platform, Crop2Cash makes it easy for smallholder farmers to secure affordable credit, buy inputs, and receive digital payments without the need for internet access.
The company launched a free national agricultural hotline in July 2024. Farmers can call and get support through an IVR system available in their local language. So far, more than 20,000 smallholder farmers have used the USSD solution, including over 5,000 women, and about 1,600 have purchased drought-resistant seeds.
6. Cropcura
| CATEGORY | DETAILS |
| Focus | AI powered solutions |
| Founded | 2025 |
| Headquarters | Abeokuta, Ogun State |
| Stage | Pre-seed |
CropCura addresses one of agriculture’s most persistent challenges—crop loss caused by pests and diseases. The company uses artificial intelligence to help farmers detect crop issues early and access organic solutions that protect yield. Its goal is to reduce the billions of dollars lost each year to pest damage while promoting sustainable farming across Nigeria and beyond.
The company is still in its early stage of operation but has already launched its mobile app to reach farmers directly. Through the app, users can snap a photo of an affected crop and receive an instant diagnosis, even without internet access. The system identifies the pest or disease and then provides a list of organic treatments that have been tested and verified by experts.
Southern Nigeria’s Path to Smart Agriculture
Southern Nigeria’s path to smart agriculture is still unfolding. The effort to rebuild the region’s food systems has only begun. With an enabling environment and greater investment, the region holds the promise to feed not just itself, but the entire nation and beyond.