South African agritech innovator Nile has announced the closing of a ZAR200 million (US$11.3 million) funding round, aimed at accelerating its expansion across Southern Africa. Founded in 2021 by Louis de Kock, Eugene Roodt, and Rick Kleynhans, Nile is transforming the agricultural landscape by offering digital solutions that address key challenges faced by farmers.
Revolutionizing Food Trading for Farmers
Nile’s platform tackles critical pain points such as price transparency, quality verification, rapid payments, produce traceability, and food waste reduction. By leveraging digital tools, Nile empowers farmers to trading more efficiently and confidently in a traditionally complex market.
The company previously raised US$5.1 million in 2022, and its latest funding round marks a significant leap forward. Led by the Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund, with co-investments from FMO—the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, and ongoing support from existing investor Platform Investment Partners, this influx of capital will bolster Nile’s growth.
Driving Growth and Innovation
The new funds will enable Nile to expand its agricultural inputs marketplace and introduce innovative financing solutions through partnerships with leading banks. These initiatives aim to improve farmers’ access to markets, tools, and capital—further strengthening the agricultural value chain.
Louis de Kock, Nile’s co-founder, shared his enthusiasm: “We are pleasantly surprised by how rapidly farmers have adopted our digital trading platform. With this critical mass, we now have a unique opportunity to build a comprehensive digital ecosystem that delivers greater value and reduces risks for farmers.”
Supporting Farmers and Building a Sustainable Future
Henry Rahmann, investment officer at AfricInvest, emphasized Nile’s transformative potential: “We firmly believe Nile is revolutionizing fresh produce trading in South Africa. It empowers farmers by addressing their diverse needs—from input procurement to trading and financing.”
He added, “We are proud to back Nile’s talented team, alongside FMO, as they develop an agri-tech champion that uplifts farming communities across South Africa and beyond.”
The Road Ahead
With the new funding secured, Nile is poised to deepen its impact across the region. By leveraging digital tools, it aims to foster a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable agricultural sector—benefiting farmers, consumers, and the wider economy.
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