The future of agriculture is not determined only by what farmers produce, but by how efficiently they can access markets, information and finance. Agriarche Limited has built its business around closing those gaps. With fresh backing from Proparco, the Nigerian agritech company is preparing to expand a model that is helping thousands of farmers participate more fully in the agricultural economy.
Founded in 2020, Agriarche has developed an integrated agricultural model that connects different parts of the value chain, including commodity aggregation, logistics and payments for both local and export markets. Through its flagship digital platform, Kasuwa, the company is working to improve how agricultural products move from farms to buyers while helping farmers gain better access to information and financial services.
The new support from Proparco is expected to strengthen Agriarche’s ability to scale its operations across Nigeria, particularly in regions where farmers often face barriers to market access and economic opportunities.
The company currently operates across nine states in Nigeria’s North-West, North-East and North-Central regions. Through a network of physical fulfilment centres and digital infrastructure, Agriarche has onboarded more than 25,000 farmers while Kasuwa serves over 3,000 active users.
Agriculture remains one of Africa’s most important economic sectors and a key source of employment and livelihoods. The sector is projected to reach a value of US$1 trillion by 2030. Yet millions of smallholder farmers across the continent continue to face challenges that limit productivity and profitability.
In Nigeria, fragmented supply chains, limited financing options, inadequate logistics and poor market access continue to affect farmers. According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the country loses more than 3.5 trillion naira annually due to post-harvest inefficiencies. These losses reduce farmer incomes and weaken the resilience of agricultural value chains.
Leveraging Technology to Build Stronger Value Chains
Agriarche was established to address many of these challenges through technology and market-driven solutions. Its approach focuses on creating a more efficient and transparent ecosystem that connects farmers, aggregators, processors and buyers.
Through Kasuwa, launched in 2022, farmers can access daily spot prices, digital payment services, logistics support and real-time information including weather forecasts. The platform enables farmers to make informed decisions while reducing inefficiencies that often increase costs and limit profitability.
The company also supports farmers in remote communities, particularly across Northern Nigeria, by connecting them to major commercial markets within Nigeria and international markets in North and South America.
Beyond digital services, Agriarche provides training programmes that promote sustainable and climate-adapted farming practices. To date, the company has delivered 12 training programmes focused on helping farmers improve productivity while adapting to changing environmental conditions.
Proparco sees the company’s model as an example of how innovation can help strengthen agricultural systems while creating economic opportunities.
“Agriarche is leveraging technology to optimize Nigeria’s agricultural value chain while creating tangible opportunities for smallholder farmers,” said Xavier Echasseriau, Regional Director for Nigeria at Proparco.
He noted that through the Bridge Fund, Proparco is supporting innovative women-led startups that contribute to more inclusive, resilient and sustainable agricultural systems across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Expanding Economic Opportunities for Farmers
The impact of Agriarche’s work extends beyond market access. The company estimates that its operations contribute to the creation of an average of 125,000 jobs while helping strengthen local economies across the regions where it operates.
Women make up 42 percent of the farmers engaged through the platform, highlighting the company’s role in promoting greater participation of women in agriculture.
Agriarche is also helping farmers reduce production costs. Through partnerships with agricultural input providers and solar pump financiers, farmers are achieving an average 40 percent reduction in production expenses, improving profitability and increasing resilience.
For Agriarche Founder and Chief Executive Officer Deina Mayaki, improving agriculture requires addressing the systems that often separate farmers from opportunity.
“Africa’s future depends on making agriculture work. If agriculture works, Africa works,” she said.
Mayaki said unlocking the full potential of agriculture requires fixing fragmented systems that disconnect farmers from markets, finance and growth opportunities.
By combining physical infrastructure with digital innovation, she said Agriarche is building a trusted ecosystem that makes food more available, affordable and accessible while creating stronger links across the agricultural value chain.
She described Proparco’s support through the Bridge Fund as an important milestone in the company’s growth journey.
“This partnership strengthens our ability to connect more farmers to reliable markets, expand financial inclusion, strengthen food systems and contribute to a more prosperous, resilient and food-secure Africa,” she said.
The project aligns with Proparco’s 2023-2027 strategy by supporting economic development in Nigeria, including fragile regions, while advancing food security, financial inclusion and job creation. It also contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including ending poverty, eliminating hunger, promoting decent work and economic growth, encouraging innovation and strengthening partnerships.
