DisrupTech Ventures, one of Egypt’s foremost early-stage fintech investment funds, has made its first international foray with an investment in Nigeria’s Winich Farms. The funding forms part of Winich’s Pre-Series A round and marks a major milestone for both the investor and the agri-tech startup. This cross-border collaboration underscores a growing interest in scalable fintech solutions within Africa’s agriculture sector.
Winich Tackles Fragmented Markets and Farmer Exclusion
Winich Farms, based in Lagos, is at the forefront of addressing long-standing issues in Nigeria’s agriculture industry, particularly fragmented market access and financial exclusion. Agriculture accounts for 21% of the country’s GDP and employs millions, yet smallholder farmers, who are responsible for 90% of food production, remain largely disconnected from formal supply chains and financial systems. Winich is closing this gap with a technology-driven approach that directly links farmers to buyers and financial services.
A Scalable Model for Agricultural Inclusion
Mohamed Okasha, Managing Partner at DisrupTech Ventures, highlighted the significance of this investment as a reflection of the fund’s belief in Nigeria’s agri-fintech potential. He praised Winich for developing a highly scalable model that delivers tangible value to farmers while addressing systemic inefficiencies. Okasha also noted that agriculture is central to Egypt’s economy, creating room for shared learnings as Winich explores continental expansion.
Building a Pan-African Vision from Nigeria
CEO and Co-founder of Winich Farms, Attai Riches, expressed enthusiasm over the new partnership and the momentum it brings. He emphasized that DisrupTech’s fintech expertise will be instrumental in scaling operations and unlocking new markets. This partnership affirms Winich’s long-term ambition to create a more efficient and inclusive agricultural value chain that begins in Nigeria but extends globally.
Timing and Impact Amid Economic Shifts
The investment arrives at a pivotal time, as Nigeria grapples with inflationary pressures and higher input costs due to the devaluation of the Naira. Winich’s platform offers a critical solution by improving farmers’ access to both markets and finance, two key pain points in the current economic climate. By reducing dependency on informal channels and enabling digital transactions, the company is driving financial inclusion and enhancing supply chain efficiency.
A Growing Footprint in Nigeria
Operating in 29 out of Nigeria’s 36 states, Winich has established itself as a key intermediary in the agriculture sector. Its platform connects more than 180,000 smallholder farmers to off-takers including processors and retailers, significantly reducing reliance on middlemen. Through a network of agent-managed collection points, Winich aggregates produce and coordinates logistics while avoiding the capital intensity of owning infrastructure.
Digitizing Agriculture for Financial Access
A standout feature of Winich’s platform is the Winich Card, which facilitates digital payments and helps farmers build a credit profile. This innovation is crucial in a sector where cash remains dominant, and credit access is limited. In collaboration with Kebbi Agricultural Research Development Agency (KARDA), Winich also offers agronomic advisory and direct credit to improve farm productivity and support scaling.
Looking ahead, Winich Farms intends to replicate its success in Nigeria across other African countries. The company is also exploring export partnerships with the MENA region to meet growing demand for traceable and tech-enabled agricultural supply chains. With DisrupTech’s backing and a solid foundation in place, Winich is poised to emerge as a leader in Africa’s post-harvest agri-fintech landscape.