Zowasel Spotlight: ThriveAgric

Our Spotlight Series highlights cooperatives and agribusinesses addressing challenges across agricultural value chains using Zowasel's innovative technology and data science-backed solutions.

This week, we are featuring the inspiring success story of ThriveAgric, which is one of Africa’s leading agricultural technology companies. ThriveAgric has achieved remarkable success through Zowasel's platform, emerging as a shining example in the agtech industry by selling commodities on the marketplace.

Based in Abuja, ThriveAgric empowers smallholder farmers with quality inputs and more, helping them achieve optimal yields, profitable returns, and reduced poverty rates while ensuring the necessary food production.

The company's vision is to build the largest network of profitable farmers across Africa, ensuring there is always food for all. ThriveAgric started its journey in one state with less than 500 farmers in Nigeria; today, with technology, it has expanded across the country and to Kenya, changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of farmers across both countries.

Today, ThriveAgric trades on the Zowasel platform; we interviewed Patrick Okiyi, the Account Management Lead at Thrive Agric, who shared his experience trading on the Zowasel platform.

Q: Can you tell us about your background and how you started in agribusiness? What inspired you, and how long have you been in the industry?

A: I graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and I’m currently pursuing my MBA at Rome Business School. My career spans various industries: education, security, hospitality, NGOs, and agriculture. Initially, I focused on contract administration, payroll, and financial analysis before transitioning into account and relationship management.

In agribusiness, I started as an accountant/analyst and later joined the commercial and sales team at Thrive Agric. What drew me in was the opportunity to bridge the gap between off-takers and consumers. In my three years with Thrive Agric, I’ve grown from an Account Manager to an Account Management Lead, gaining extensive experience in financial management, supply chain optimization, and demand forecasting.

Q: How did you first hear about Zowasel, and why do you trade on the Zowasel Marketplace?

A: I first learned about Zowasel through my supervisor, who their team had contacted. Coincidentally, ThriveAgric Ltd's commercial agents also shared a positive experience supplying to the company. With over 200 ThriveAgric onboarded commercial Agents, word-of-mouth endorsements significantly contributed to my initial interest.

My trading experience with Zowasel has been more than just smooth. Their team excels in customer relations, ensuring every trade is well-documented and payments are timely. Any delays were promptly communicated, and their transparency instilled trust.?

Zowasel's streamlined operations, efficient logistics handling, and prompt payments provide a level of service that should give you confidence and reassurance in trading on its platform.?

This level of service should give you confidence when trading on Zowasel's platform.

3. Q: Any advice for fellow agribusinesses, and would you recommend Zowasel during the harvest season?

A: I strongly recommend partnering with Zowasel—but first, ensure you fully understand their terms and conditions. While Nigeria’s agricultural sector is still largely informal, companies like Zowasel and Thrive Agric drive technological innovation, helping formalize the industry.

Collaboration is not just important; it's critical, as P-Square once said: "Na collabo." By working with organizations like Zowasel, we can build a more structured and prosperous agricultural ecosystem. This is a community effort, and we invite you to join it.

Highlighting the relationship with Thrive Agric, Chioma Chukuwukadibia, Zowasel’s Customer Success Manager, said, "Thrive Agric is a well-respected name on Zowasel Marketplace, known for consistently delivering large volumes of commodities to the Marketplace listed buyers.”

According to Chukuwukadibia, Thrive Agric's professionalism sets a high standard for other merchants, and their commitment to meeting buyers' quality specifications assures us that the right commodity will be delivered every time."

This interview highlights how Thrive Agric, an agricultural technology startup, thrives on the Zowasel platform and is an example of how agricultural startups, cooperatives, and other agribusinesses can become successful on the platform.?

Our Spotlight Series highlights customers across value chains addressing their agricultural challenges with Zowasel's innovative technology and data-backed solutions. From sustainable farming to marketing and alternative finance, we provide a one-stop solution to our network of cooperatives and agribusinesses.?

From sustainable farming to marketing and alternative finance, we provide a one-stop solution to cooperatives and agribusinesses across our African operations.?

Join thousands of agricultural startups, farmer cooperatives, and other agribusinesses on the Zowasel platform to streamline your commodity marketing and enjoy seamless logistics support, prompt payments, and a reliable trading experience locally and internationally.?

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