Six African startups have joined the latest develoPPP Ventures portfolio, securing funding and technical support that will help them expand their businesses while creating greater economic opportunities for farmers, communities and consumers across the continent.
Backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), each company will receive €100,000 in non-dilutive funding together with tailored technical assistance. The investment recognises businesses with scalable models that address local challenges while delivering sustainable development. According to develoPPP Ventures, the selected companies are well positioned to unlock new market opportunities and deliver meaningful impact in their sectors.
Supporting Businesses That Create Local Value
The six ventures operate in sectors ranging from agriculture and food processing to nutrition, seafood, financial technology and exports. While their business models differ, they all share a common goal of improving livelihoods through stronger local value chains and better market access.
Incuti Foods is building a vertically integrated food business by sourcing chili from smallholder farmers and producing premium sauces locally. The company is focused on delivering authentic African flavours while strengthening local value creation, supporting sustainable farming practices and creating reliable markets for farmers. Through local sourcing and manufacturing, Incuti Foods is also contributing to import substitution while showcasing African food products to regional and international markets.
Kumbatia Seafood is transforming East Africa’s seafood industry by connecting artisanal fishers with premium local and international markets. The company combines training, financing and an efficient cold-chain system to improve seafood quality and traceability. Its model enables fishers to produce seafood that meets international standards, helping them earn higher incomes while encouraging responsible fishing practices, improving marine conservation and creating better livelihoods for coastal communities along the Swahili Coast.
Lishe360 is addressing child malnutrition by producing affordable nutrition products for mothers and young children while providing digital nutrition education. The company is working to improve nutrition outcomes for families by making healthy food more accessible and helping parents make informed feeding decisions. Its work is particularly important in Tanzania, where malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of five.
Building Stronger Economies Through Innovation
MoneyPhone is expanding financial inclusion by providing digital agricultural loans through a cooperative-based lending model. Founded in 2018, the fintech company develops technology that helps microfinance institutions and SME banks digitise lending services. By improving access to affordable credit through smartphones, MoneyPhone is helping financial institutions reach more borrowers while giving smallholder farmers better access to the financing they need to grow their businesses.
NYOTA is helping reduce post-harvest losses by sourcing produce from smallholder farmers and supplying processed frozen vegetables to urban consumers through an integrated distribution network. Alongside improving food supply reliability, the company also develops digital loyalty platforms that strengthen relationships between businesses and consumers while creating more reliable markets for farmers.
Trianon Spices Investment works with smallholder farmers in Tanzania to source and process cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper for export markets. Using quality assurance and certification systems, the company improves traceability while giving farmers access to premium markets. Its long-term vision is to strengthen Tanzania’s position as a recognised producer of high-quality spices while promoting regenerative agriculture, protecting biodiversity and improving the livelihoods of farming communities.
The latest investments expand a growing portfolio of more than 120 companies. The programme is implemented by DEG Impulse gGmbH and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, combining financial support with technical expertise to help promising businesses grow. Through initiatives such as develoPPP Ventures, the programme continues to demonstrate how targeted investment in innovative African enterprises can strengthen local industries, create jobs and deliver long-term economic and social impact.
