South African agri-tech startup Nile has raised ZAR200 million (US$11.3 million) in fresh funding to accelerate its expansion across Southern Africa. This latest investment marks a significant milestone in Nile’s mission to transform fresh produce trading through digital innovation.
Nile’s Digital Platform Empowers Farmers with Transparent Food Trading Solutions
Founded in 2021 by Louis de Kock, Eugene Roodt, and Rick Kleynhans, Nile provides farmers with a digital platform that tackles key challenges in food trading, such as:
- Price transparency
- Quality verification
- Faster payments
- Produce traceability
- Reduction in food waste
By streamlining the farm-to-market process, Nile empowers farmers to trade more efficiently, increase profitability, and reduce post-harvest losses.
Backed by Leading Investors in AgriTech and Impact
The ZAR200 million (US$11.3 million) funding round was led by the Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund, with co-investment from FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank. Existing investor Platform Investment Partners also participated in the round.
This follows Nile’s previous US$5.1 million seed round in 2022, further validating its growth trajectory and investor confidence.
“We’ve been surprised by how quickly farmers have embraced our digital way of trading,” said Louis de Kock, co-founder of Nile.
“With this funding, we have the unique opportunity to build a comprehensive digital ecosystem that offers greater value and reduces risk for farmers.”
Funding to Power Expansion and Agricultural Finance Solutions
With this capital injection, Nile plans to:
- Expand its agricultural inputs marketplace
- Launch innovative agri-financing solutions in collaboration with leading banks
- Enhance market access for farmers across Southern Africa
- Deepen its footprint in underserved rural farming communities
The strategic focus is on improving farmer access not just to buyers, but also to tools, insights, and capital that drive long-term productivity and sustainability.
Investors See Transformational Potential in Nile’s AgriTech Platform
Henry Rahmann, Investment Officer at AfricInvest, praised Nile’s innovative approach:
“We firmly believe Nile is transforming the fresh produce trading landscape in South Africa. The team is empowering farmers by meeting their full range of needs—from agricultural inputs and trading to financing.”
“We’re proud to back Nile, alongside FMO, as they build an agri-tech champion uplifting farming communities across South Africa and beyond.”
Nile Is Shaping the Future of Agriculture in Africa
Nile’s success reflects the growing importance of technology-driven agriculture in Africa. By bridging market gaps and enabling digital transformation in the food value chain, Nile is helping build a resilient, inclusive, and efficient agricultural economy.
