Nigeria: Funding pools ongoing for agritech startups at Agrithon 2025

NIGERIA – Lagos has opened its doors to the second edition of Agrithon, a platform that gives Nigerian agritech startups the chance to secure funding and scale their solutions.

Running from August 23 to September 8, 2025, the program offers a ₦150 million (US$97,650) pool to participants with strong ideas that can reshape food and agriculture.

The competition targets areas that directly affect the future of Nigeria’s food systems. Startups and innovators will present ideas in cold chain and storage, climate-smart farming practices, hydroponics and aeroponics, precision agriculture, waste-to-value models, digital tools for finance and markets, farm equipment design, local fabrication, and new product development.

“This is more than a competition; it’s a springboard for pioneers who can solve Lagos’ and Nigeria’s most pressing agricultural challenges,” the organizers said during the launch.

Eligible participants must be between 18 and 40 years old, with at least one year of operational experience and either a viable product or an existing sales record.

Startups must also hold registration with both the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA).

Judges will look for innovation, feasibility, scalability, sustainability, and market viability. Strong pitches with clear impact cases will give applicants a competitive edge.

Building on the first edition

The inaugural Agrithon in 2024 marked the beginning of the Lagos Agrinnovation Summit series. It drew policymakers, innovators, and business leaders together at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island.

Participants explored food security, sustainability, efficiency in food systems, and agri-fintech. Lagos-based startups competed for a ₦100 million (U$65,100) funding pool, with the event featuring keynotes, plenary sessions, exhibitions, and workshops.

Reflecting on the maiden edition, the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture described it as a “landmark event that set the tone for future engagement with the agritech community.”

Agrithon 2025 comes at a time when Nigeria’s agricultural sector is seeing growing interest in innovation and youth-led solutions.

In early August, the University of Ibadan announced a new partnership with private investors to boost research on climate-smart crop production. The initiative aims to connect university research with agritech startups that can take solutions to market.

Industry leaders see Agrithon as a crucial link in this chain. “Programs like this not only provide funding but also build confidence for young entrepreneurs who want to create lasting impact in agriculture,” said an industry official present at the launch.

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