Shamba Pride secures $3.7m pre-series A funding to help Kenyan farmers distribute their produce

Kenyan agriculture technology startup, Shamba Pride has secured $3.7m to improve the distribution of farm products and address issues faced by farmers in Kenya and neighbouring countries. Through its merchant network, digishops, the agritech startup has a presence with 2,700 agro-dealers in 24 Kenyan counties.

With the new funding, the company plans to expand within the country, reaching more retailers and agricultural areas. Additionally, Shamba Pride aims to enter markets in Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, addressing similar challenges in the supply chain.

To support its growth, the company secured $3.7 million in pre-series A funding from EDFI AgriFI and Seedstars Africa Ventures, including $1.7 million in equity, building on the $1.1 million raised in 2021 from SAV and Gray Matters Capital.

Shamba Pride empowers rural farmers through digital transformation of agro-dealers

Shamba Pride leverages digital tools to enable agro-dealers in business management and inventory ordering tasks. This digital transformation ensures a steady supply of essential agricultural inputs, like fertilizers and seeds, reaching millions of small-scale farmers in rural areas.

The agritech also extends market connections, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) financial services, and training information to farmers via its USSD platform. Its primary focus is on small-scale farmers within Kenya’s agriculture sector, a crucial contributor to the country’s GDP (33%), employing over 40% of the population, especially in rural areas (70%). With 65% of export earnings attributed to this sector, it holds significant economic importance and remains a central area for innovators.

Shamba Pride founder and CEO, Samuel Munguti told TechCrunch, ”Agriculture distribution in rural communities is heavily controlled by agro-dealers who decide how farmers access inputs, services and training. We are empowering these agro-dealers by giving them the right tools and technology for visibility of their businesses, for their professional and commercial development and the right support for farmers around them.”

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Innovations fueling Shamba Pride’s success

Maxime Bouan, a general partner at SAV, highlights Shamba Pride’s success rooted in innovations supporting daily farming activities. This scalable model not only generates additional revenues for farmers and agro-dealers but also plays a pivotal role in fostering successful women’s entrepreneurship. SAV, a sector-agnostic fund with a focus on essential needs like education, healthcare, and utilities, acknowledges the startup’s contribution to enhancing goods, services, and efficiency.

Additionally, Shamba Pride strategically sources inventory from partners like Elephant Verve, a French multinational providing “climate-smart” farm inputs, aligning with the agritech’s goal to build resilience for small-holder farmers.

Expansion as a catalyst for economic transformation

Shamba Pride’s expansion into Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia holds the promise of significant economic benefits for local communities. The startup’s innovative solutions are anticipated to increase income opportunities for farmers through improved market connectivity and streamlined supply chains.

Additionally, the growth of agro-dealer networks is expected to foster entrepreneurship, contributing to the overall economic vibrancy of the regions. Shamba Pride’s presence introduces diversification to local economies, potentially leading to job creation and encouraging sustainable economic practices.

Beyond technological innovation, this venture is poised to act as a transformative force in shaping the economic landscape of the targeted regions.

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