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DisrupTech Ventures backs Nigerian agri-fintech startup Winich Farms

DisrupTech Ventures backs Nigerian agri-fintech startup Winich Farms

Zawya6 days ago

Lagos, Nigeria – DisrupTech Ventures, one of Egypt's leading early-stage fintech funds, has announced its first pan-African investment in Nigerian startup Winich Farms, a fast-growing Agri-Tech that is transforming access to markets and credit for smallholder farmers across Nigeria. The investment forms part of Winich's Pre-Series A round.
Lagos-based Winich is addressing the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria's agriculture sector, market fragmentation and lack of financial inclusion. Despite agriculture contributing 21% of Nigeria's GDP and employing millions, smallholder farmers—who make up 80% of the farming population and produce 90% of output—remain largely excluded from modern supply chains and financial systems.
Commenting on their debut international investment, Mohamed Okasha, Managing Partner at DisrupTech Ventures, stated: 'Our investment in Winich reflects our conviction in the potential of Nigeria's agri-fintech sector and the scalability of its model. Winich is not only solving real problems for smallholder farmers but doing so with a scalable model. Agriculture is also core to Egypt's economy, and we look forward to sharing insights and best practices between both markets as Winich grows across the continent.'
From his side, Attai Riches, CEO and Co-founder of Winich Farms, added: 'We are excited to welcome DisrupTech Ventures on board as we enter our next phase of growth. Their experience in scaling early-stage fintechs will be invaluable as we strengthen our operations, empower more farmers, and explore expansion opportunities across Africa and beyond. This partnership reinforces our vision to build a more inclusive and efficient agricultural value chain, starting from Nigeria and reaching out to global markets.'
Against the macro backdrop which saw the surge of agri-related input costs and interest rates due to the Naira's devaluation, Winich poses as a timely and impactful solution that addresses both access to market and access to finance—two of the biggest hurdles for Nigeria's agricultural sector.
Currently active in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states, Winich is fast becoming a vital link between smallholder farmers and the broader agri value chain. Winich's digital platform connects over 180,000 smallholder farmers directly with off-takers such as processors and small retailers, eliminating layers of intermediaries that often erode farmers' profits. Through a countrywide network of agent collection points, the platform facilitates efficient produce aggregation and logistics without owning physical infrastructure.
Their state-of-the-art Winich Cards are helping shift farmers away from cash transactions by enabling digital payments that build financial records—key to qualifying for credit in the future. In addition, Winich provides direct credit and agronomic advisory services, in partnership with Kebbi Agricultural Research Development Agency (KARDA), to help farmers scale operations and improve productivity.
Looking ahead, Winich plans to leverage its success in Nigeria to scale across other African markets and explore export partnerships into the MENA region. With rising demand for reliable, traceable, and tech-enabled agricultural supply chains, Winich is well-positioned to become a continental leader in post-harvest agri-fintech solutions.

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Market studies from other African producers have shown that well-developed midstream infrastructure can contribute up to 30% more in local value addition compared to direct crude exports.[1] In Ghana, for instance, domestic refining and pipeline infrastructure contributed significantly to its GDP growth in the petroleum sector between 2016–2022. Namibia has the opportunity to tap into similar economic potential.[2] Existing Legal Framework and Gaps Namibia's petroleum sector is primarily governed by the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act 2 of 1991 and the Petroleum Products and Energy Act 13 of 1990. These laws focus largely on upstream activities and the regulation of downstream petroleum products. However, there is no dedicated midstream regulatory framework. The absence of clear midstream regulations means there is little guidance on ownership structures, investment incentives, and operational guidelines for pipelines, storage, and refining facilities. For example, Nigeria's midstream sector prior to the Petroleum Industry Act (2021) faced significant bottlenecks due to the absence of a clear regulatory framework, particularly regarding third-party access and tariff setting for pipeline infrastructure. These issues led to investor reluctance and underinvestment, which were only addressed after the establishment of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Nigeria Petroleum Industry Act, 2021). Lessons from Other Oil-Producing Countries Namibia can draw inspiration from countries that have successfully developed midstream infrastructure through effective regulation. Norway, for example, has established a robust midstream legal framework that ensures state participation in pipelines and refineries while promoting private investment.[3] Ghana has a dedicated Petroleum Midstream Regulatory Authority that oversees infrastructure development and ensures compliance with environmental and safety standards. 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Legal Advisory Firms: Provide technical assistance in drafting laws, structuring transactions, and navigating policy reform. Strengthening Namibia's Midstream Legal Framework To address the existing gaps, Namibia must develop a comprehensive legal framework that clearly defines the governance of midstream activities. A dedicated Midstream Act would be a crucial first step, providing legal certainty on pipeline infrastructure, refineries, storage, and transportation. Encouraging public-private partnerships can drive midstream development while ensuring local participation. Establishing an independent regulatory authority will help enhance transparency, streamline approvals, and enforce compliance. Additionally, Namibia should implement policies that prioritize local employment and skills transfer, ensuring that midstream investors contribute to national workforce development. 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