The financing, issued in naira, will help Tomato Jos increase its tomato processing capacity, grow its network of smallholder farmers, and support the company’s broader expansion plans in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Tomato Jos, which is based in Kaduna State, produces tomato paste using locally sourced tomatoes from Nigerian farmers.

The company has positioned itself as one of the country’s leading players seeking to strengthen domestic food processing and reduce post-harvest losses in agriculture.

The investment comes at a time when Nigeria is pushing for greater local production in the food manufacturing industry.

Nigeria consumes more than 2.3 million tonnes of fresh tomatoes annually, yet the country has historically depended heavily on imported tomato paste to meet demand.

Sabou Capital said imports previously accounted for as much as 90% of processed tomato consumption before recent government restrictions on tomato-paste imports created new opportunities for local manufacturers.

“With the import ban creating room for domestic producers, Tomato Jos is in a strong position because it already has an operational supply chain and a certified processing facility,” Sabou Capital said.

Speaking on the transaction, Sabou Capital Managing Partner Surayyah Ahmad said the investment reflects the firm’s focus on businesses that generate both economic and social value.

“Tomato Jos is exactly the kind of business we back, one that turns an import dependency into local jobs, farmer income, and a stronger domestic economy,” Ahmad said.

“We structured this deal so that our financial return grows with the impact they create,” she added.

Tomato Jos works with thousands of smallholder farmers across northern Nigeria, supplying them with inputs, training, and market access.

The company says its operations currently support more than 10,000 farmers and their families.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mira Mehta said access to flexible financing remains critical for local manufacturers competing against larger international companies.

“As Tomato Jos continues to grow, partners like Sabou Capital are crucial to our journey,” Mehta said.

“The opportunity in front of us is real, but so is the competition; we’re up against international organisations with deep pockets,” she added.

Mehta also noted that impact-focused investors play an important role beyond providing capital.

“We are grateful to investors like Sabou who understand why our business matters beyond the cheque they write and the financial return they will get, because supporting us means supporting a community of over 10,000 small farmers and their families,” she said.

Sabou Capital is an impact investment firm focused on supporting growth-stage businesses across sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, logistics, fintech, and climate technology in West and Central Africa.

The firm recently secured backing from the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund to expand financing for underserved small and medium-sized enterprises in the region.