East Africa AgTech Startups You Should Know

The East African region is quickly becoming a hotbed for technological innovations, with noticeable growth seen in the fintech and health tech sectors. But a particular area of interest that’s steadily gaining popularity in the region is the Agtech sector.

With a focus on addressing the unique challenges farmers face in the region, several Agtech companies have emerged as leaders in driving agricultural innovation. These companies leverage technology to empower farmers, increase productivity, and create sustainable agricultural practices.?

Here, we will explore 12 Agtech companies in East Africa, redefining processes and making meaningful contributions to the agricultural value chain in the region.

iProcure

Year Founded: 2013

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

iProcure is a digital technology company developing innovations to improve the agriculture supply chain in Kenya. The startup designs data-driven optimization solutions for smallholder farmers in rural Kenya, helping them access markets easily and avoid post-harvest losses from supply chain limitations.

The company owns a supply chain digital infrastructure that provides users with business intelligence. The platform also has features that allow users to manage their stock inventory and point-of-sale activities. In addition to that, users can access alternative distribution channels via the platform to ensure their products get to the end consumers without hiccups.

Ecodudu

Year Founded: 2017

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Ecodudu is a biotechnology company pioneering sustainable agricultural practices through groundbreaking innovation in Kenya. The startup's flagship solution incorporates black soldier fly larvae and other natural recycling agents, primarily insects, to convert food and organic waste into protein-dense animal feeds and biomass for fertilizers. This process produces Dudu meal, Ecodudu's patented insect-based animal feed, and Shamba Mix, its organic plant fertilizer.

Victory Farms

Year Founded: 2015

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Victory Farms is a techno-centric aquaculture farm revolutionizing white meat production in East Africa. The company is one of the biggest fish farms in East Africa and is leveraging technology to bolster its rapid growth while serving customers excellent quality products.

Victory Farms operates a fully-integrated, end-to-end embedded platform that oversees its outputs' production, processing, sales, and distribution. The company also operates a highly efficient cold-chain system, ensuring all its goods get to off-takers and consumers in excellent condition.?

Farmingtech Solution Limited

Year Founded: 2016

Location: Kiambu County, Kenya

Farmingtech Solutions Limited is an Agtech company leveraging digital technology to enhance animal husbandry and agricultural extension practices in Kenya. The startup operates digital systems designed to optimize operations and access to livestock healthcare for cattle rearers.

The company's DigiCow dairy app contains several features that enable multiple functionalities, including record keeping, educative materials for farming processes, and digital breeding and clinical record for cattle.

Biobuu

Year Founded: 2016

Location: Coast Region, Tanzania

BioBuu is a biotechnology company driving sustainable agriculture in Tanzania. The startup is helping farmers grow healthier and safer crops by reducing their reliance on chemical-based farm inputs. It provides farmers with organic-based alternatives that are safer, affordable, and sustainable.

Biobuu operates a recycling system using black soldier flies to convert food and organic waste into high-protein fish and chicken feeds and compost for plants. It then distributes its produce to farmers across the country, helping them produce healthier outputs.

EzyAgric

Year Founded: 2015

Location: Kampala, Uganda

EzyAgric is an Agtech startup revolutionizing farming and agri-produce distributions in East Africa. The company operates a value chain digitization platform serving the needs of stakeholders across every stage of the agricultural value chain. The platform incorporates an agri-shop for easy farm input sourcing, farm record management functionalities, credit and financing access, market linkage, and advisory solutions for farmers.?

Hello Tractor

Year Founded: 2014

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Hello Tractor is an Agtech startup improving access to mechanization for smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa. The company connects farmers needing mechanized farming equipment with owners willing to lease out their equipment, primarily tractors.

The company facilitates tractor leasing for farmers through its digital marketplace. Tractor owners looking to lease out their equipment can search the platform for farmers needing them. Also, farmers can register on the platform and make pre-payments and advance requests for a tractor lease for a specific date.

UjuziKilimo

Year Founded: 2016

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

UjuziKilimo is an agricultural technology company facilitating crop yield improvement and process optimization for farmers in East Africa.

The company's primary product is a mobile-based soil measuring tool that analyzes soil characteristics and compares the information with existing databases to give farmers accurate soil condition report for precision farming.?

The tool incorporates sensors that collect soil information and machine learning algorithms for analyzing the data. Based on its analysis report, it then provides actionable agronomic insights and business intelligence for farmers.

AgriBORA

Year Founded: 2018

Location: Kisumu, Kenya

AgriBORA is an agricultural financier and digital solutions provider transforming African agrarian systems through innovation and disruptive technologies. The company helps farmers access farm inputs and financing to aid their operations and productivity.

AgriBORA operates a digital ecosystem connecting partners from different agricultural value chain parts. It mainly caters to the primary needs of farmers by providing them with inputs, finances, and market access.

Stable Foods

Year Founded: 2021

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Stable Foods is an ag-tech venture helping smallholder farmers in Africa scale their operations and achieve maximum productivity. The company provides low-cost and sustainable productivity solutions for farmers.

Stable Foods operates a consolidated farming solutions system. It provides an irrigation-as-a-service subscription solution for smallholder farmers, enabling them to sign up for irrigation services at their convenience. The company also provides farming inputs and regenerative agriculture mechanisms to foster farm sustainability.

Taimba Limited

Year Founded: 2018

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Taimba Limited is a logistics and supply chain technology company revolutionizing the East African agricultural sector by connecting small-scale farmers directly with consumers. The company empowers farmers in Kenya by providing them with access to fair and transparent markets while also giving consumers access to fresh and high-quality produce.

Taimba connects producers and retailers of agriculture products to consumers through its digital infrastructure. The platform allows consumers to conveniently order produce and have it delivered to their doorstep directly from farms without involving intermediaries.

Apollo Agriculture

Year Founded: 2016

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Apollo Agriculture is a pioneering agricultural technology company revolutionizing smallholder farming in Africa. The startup combines advanced data analytics, mobile technology, and innovative financial solutions to help farmers improve their productivity.

At its core, Apollo Agriculture gives smallholder farmers easy access to essential resources and services. The company leverages satellite imagery, machine learning algorithms, and on-the-ground agronomic expertise to deliver personalized recommendations and agronomic insights to farmers.

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