FCMB and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) have launched the FCMB–FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Programme 2025 to identify, support, and fund high-potential agritech startups and SMEs in Nigeria.
According to a joint statement by the partners, the programme, which is being delivered in collaboration with Heave Ventures, will provide agritech innovators with the tools and resources needed to access funding, scale operations, and strengthen their role within Nigeria’s growing agribusiness ecosystem.
A key feature of the initiative is a ₦20 million grant prize pool, which will be awarded competitively to agritech ventures that demonstrate the strongest potential for investment. In addition to financial support, participants will benefit from capacity-building tools such as digital learning modules and fundability scoring through Zimara, a proprietary platform that uses alternative data and internationally recognised benchmarks to identify investment-ready businesses.
Applications for the programme opened on August 8, 2025, and will close on September 12, 2025. After the application period, the top 20 selected startups will enter an intensive six-week training and mentoring programme focused on investment readiness. The programme will conclude in October with a high-stakes pitch event before a panel of respected investors and funders, giving participants the chance to secure further financing and partnerships.
Mr. Kudzai Gumunyu, Divisional Head of Agribusiness & Non-Oil Exports at FCMB, explained that the initiative goes far beyond providing financial grants. He stressed that the programme is aimed at nurturing and empowering agritech startups to play a transformative role in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector. “This programme reflects our mission to drive inclusive and sustainable growth through an African-rooted ecosystem that connects people, capital, and markets,” Gumunyu said. “It is about preparing these startups for long-term investment opportunities while positioning them to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s agritech industry.”
Heave Ventures CEO, Abiodun Lawal, also underscored the broader economic implications of the programme. He argued that scaling agribusiness innovation could fundamentally reshape value chains across Africa from production to processing and exports. According to him, such transformation has the potential to create millions of decent jobs, boost foreign exchange earnings, and reposition Africa not merely as a consumer market but as a global supplier of food and agricultural technology.
The involvement of FMO, one of the world’s leading development banks, further highlights the international recognition of Nigeria’s agritech potential. By pairing FCMB’s deep local market knowledge with FMO’s global development finance expertise, the programme is expected to serve as a catalyst for long-term investment into the sector.
Analysts note that agritech has emerged as one of the most promising areas for innovation in Nigeria, offering solutions to challenges such as food security, climate resilience, and rural employment. With structured mentorship, access to funding, and global partnerships, the FCMB–FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Programme 2025 could play a pivotal role in positioning Nigerian startups at the forefront of Africa’s agricultural transformation.
