By Faridat Salifu
Three Nigerian youth-led startups have received pre-seed funding to scale climate-smart solutions aimed at reducing food losses and strengthening the country’s fragile food system.
Geocycle, Ecobag Mart and Leovia Farms emerged winners at the Greenlabs Cohort 2 “Powering Food Systems” Demo Day, organisers said on Friday.
The programme was organised under the Greenlabs Incubation Programme, powered by the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation in partnership with Jacobs Ladder Africa.
Sixteen innovators from across Nigeria were selected through a nationwide call and screening process.
Organisers said the three startups were selected for their growth potential and their environmentally sustainable solutions targeting weak links in Nigeria’s food supply chain.
The funding will support product development, business registration, and early market entry.
Nigeria continues to grapple with rising food prices, post-harvest losses, and climate-related pressures that affect farm productivity and food availability.
Speaking on behalf of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Emmanuel Audu Fatai said the winners reflect the growing role of young innovators in shaping the future of agriculture in Africa.
He said the continent has vast agricultural potential, but food insecurity and climate stress remain major challenges that require innovation-driven solutions.
Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, executive director of the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation, said the programme is focused on building sustainable youth-led businesses that can create jobs and deliver lasting community impact.
She said the incubation process goes beyond funding by providing mentorship, capacity building, and training in financial management and business ethics.
Karen Chelang’at, chief innovation officer at Jacobs Ladder Africa, said the winning startups are addressing key challenges in poultry, aquaculture, and agricultural logistics.
She said their long-term success will depend on how quickly they can reach the market and scale their operations.
Other finalists, including Agricool Logistics and Dry Heat Solutions, will also participate in a nine-month incubation programme designed to support early-stage business growth.
Organisers said youth-driven enterprise and stronger cross-sector partnerships will be critical to building a resilient food system and supporting Nigeria’s transition to a greener economy.
With funding secured and incubation underway, the startups are expected to begin expanding their solutions in the coming months.
