They make up over 80% of all farmers in Africa and produce over 80% of the continent’s food.

However, smallholder farmers face a number of challenges, including poor market access.

This is where Complete Farmer comes in.

Who is Complete Farmer?

Complete Farmer is a Ghanaian agritech startup that is transforming the agricultural landscape in Africa.

Founded in 2016, the company has developed an end-to-end agricultural marketplace that connects farmers to markets, resources, and data.

Complete Farmer’s mission is to empower African farmers to increase their productivity, incomes, and livelihoods.

The startup uses an end-to-end agricultural marketplace that connects African farmers to markets, resources, and data.

The company’s platform provides farmers with access to:

Markets: Complete Farmer connects farmers to buyers both locally and internationally. The company has a network of over 10,000 farmers and supplies buyers in over 10 countries.

Resources: Complete Farmer provides farmers with access to resources such as high-quality inputs, financial services, and insurance.

Data: Complete Farmer uses data and analytics to help farmers make informed decisions about their crops. The company’s platform provides farmers with data on soil health, weather patterns, and market trends.

Complete Farmer is committed to continuing to transform the agricultural sector in Africa.

The company is expanding its operations to new countries and is developing new products and services to help farmers succeed. 

The startup is also committed to working with governments and other stakeholders to develop policies that support the growth of the agricultural sector.

While there have been notable strides in recent years, vast disparities persist across the continent, leaving millions without access to essential medical services.

One of the primary obstacles to healthcare access in Africa is the underfunding of healthcare systems.

Despite these challenges, there are positive developments that offer a glimmer of hope for improving healthcare access in Africa.

Mobile health solutions, telemedicine, and other digital tools are being explored to expand access to healthcare in remote areas.

Kangpe Health is one such startup using tech to bridge the gap in healthcare access in Africa.

About Kangpe Health

Kangpe Health is a Nigerian startup that is revolutionizing healthcare access in Africa by providing a convenient, affordable, and accessible platform for people to connect with verified medical professionals.

Founded in 2015, Kangpe Health has grown to become a leading provider of telemedicine services in Africa, serving over 50,000 users across three countries: Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya.

Kangpe Health’s mission is to “make healthcare accessible to everyone in Africa.” The company’s platform provides a range of services, including:

• 24/7 access to consultations with verified doctors
• Online diagnosis and treatment of common ailments
• Referrals to specialists for more complex care
  Health education and awareness resources

Through its innovative approach to healthcare delivery, Kangpe Health has made a significant impact on the lives of Africans, particularly those in underserved communities.

Kangpe Health’s achievements have been recognized by numerous organizations, including: MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35 Africa award, Y Combinator Demo Day Africa award, and
mHealth Africa Award for Excellence in Mobile Healthcare.

The significance of their work lies in the fact that approximately 70% of medical decisions require some form of diagnosis, such as a blood test.

Nevertheless, more than 500 million people in Africa today face challenges accessing or affording even a simple blood test.

Ilara Health strives to make diagnostics in Africa more affordable, accessible, and accurate, bridging the diagnostic gap and elevating the quality of healthcare.

Greater access to diagnostic equipment not only yields health benefits but also empowers clinics and pharmacies to increase their revenue by offering additional services to patients.

However, traditional diagnostic machines come with steep price tags, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

This cost is prohibitively high for Ilara’s customer base, consisting of informal businesses like clinics and pharmacies that lack access to traditional financial services commonly used by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to support their growth.

To surmount this challenge, Ilara Health has established partnerships with international manufacturers of next-generation, small, portable diagnostic devices, many of which integrate with mobile phones.

These devices, currently in the market, are capable of diagnosing infections as well as non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Emilian Popa, the Co-Founder of Ilara Health, emphasizes the pivotal role played by smartphone medicine and digital health in making small, affordable, and precise diagnostic devices accessible.

These innovations are poised to replace the bulky and expensive legacy machines that have historically been out of reach for the facilities Ilara Health targets.

Although Ilara’s devices are significantly more affordable than their legacy counterparts, their price tags still present challenges for informal clinics to purchase outright.

To address this issue, Ilara introduced an innovative financing option: clients make a small initial deposit, and the remaining balance is settled over 24 months.

Ilara’s devices are connected to a technology platform that allows the company to remotely deactivate them if a client fails to make payments.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its innovative business model, Ilara Health faces several hurdles in its mission to transform healthcare.

Operating in areas where healthcare services are informal and disorganized presents unique challenges.

Understanding the dynamics of healthcare delivery in a low-income setting is complex, as many people may not be aware of the areas where Ilara operates, despite their proximity to major cities.

Another challenge involves providing extensive training to clients on how to operate the diagnostic devices. While they are skilled medical professionals, they often lack the necessary knowledge, requiring dedicated training efforts.

Moreover, many of these clinics encounter cash flow constraints that affect their ability to make timely payments. Managing the collection of leasing fees presents its own set of challenges, despite the presence of a well-structured system.

Ilara Health’s dedication to making diagnostic services more accessible, affordable, and accurate has the potential to reshape healthcare in Kenya and beyond.

Their innovative subscription model and partnerships with international manufacturers exemplify the power of sustainable economic models in the healthcare sector.

With continued efforts, Ilara Health is poised to make a profound impact on healthcare outcomes in Africa, improving the lives of millions who struggle to access vital diagnostic services.

The company’s mission is to revolutionize the agricultural landscape through innovative technologies enabling data-driven sustainability decision-making.

DigiCow’s flagship product is the DigiCow dairy app, which allows farmers to digitize their farm records, access training resources, and receive real-time alerts on important dates.
The app also has a peer-to-peer learning platform where farmers can connect and share best practices.

In addition to its dairy app, DigiCow also offers a variety of other services, including:

• Digital vet and AI services
• Digital extension services
• Data-driven decision-making tools

DigiCow has worked with over thousands of farmers in Kenya and has been recognized for its innovative work.

In 2019, Digicow was named the most innovative Agritech in Kenya at a World Bank challenge and was part of the Disruptive Agricultural technologies’ 1 Million farmer platform’.

The Challenge DigiCow is Solving

Smallholder farmers in Africa face several challenges, including:

• Lack of access to information and training
• Limited access to financial services
• Difficulty in market access
• Climate change

DigiCow’s technologies are designed to help smallholder farmers overcome these challenges and improve their productivity and profitability.

For example, the DigiCow dairy app provides farmers access to training resources, real-time alerts, and a peer-to-peer learning platform.

This helps farmers stay informed about best practices and make better decisions about their farms.

DigiCow’s digital extension services also help farmers access expert information and training.

This is especially important for farmers in remote areas who may not have access to traditional extension services.

DigiCow’s Achievements

DigiCow has achieved several successes since its launch in 2018.

The company has worked with thousands of farmers in Kenya and has been recognized for its innovative work.

In 2019, Digicow was named the most innovative Agritech in Kenya at a World Bank challenge and was part of the Disruptive Agricultural technologies’ 1 Million farmer platform’.

In the past, investing was often seen as only accessible to the wealthy or sophisticated investor.

However, the rise of tech startups is making it easier and more affordable for Africans to invest in their future.

Tech startups are helping Africans invest in a number of ways.

For example, they are developing mobile apps that make it easy for people to open investment accounts and start investing with just a few taps.

They are also offering low-cost investment products and services tailored to African investors’ needs. 

One such startup is Thndr.

Who is Thndr?

Thndr is an Egyptian fintech startup that was founded in 2020 by a group of visionary entrepreneurs who recognized the immense potential for disruption in Egypt’s financial services industry.

The company’s founders, Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr, embarked on a mission to leverage technology and innovation to bridge the gap between traditional banking and the unmet financial needs of millions of Egyptians.

With a mission to democratize access to financial services and redefine the financial landscape, Thndr has rapidly emerged as a trailblazer in the Egyptian fintech ecosystem.

What Does Thndr Do?

Thndr operates as a digital investment platform, providing users easy access to a wide range of financial products and services.

Their comprehensive offering includes:

• Investment Opportunities: Thndr offers a diverse portfolio of investment options, allowing users to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other financial instruments. Their user-friendly interface simplifies the investment process, making it accessible to novice and experienced investors.
• Savings and Wealth Management: Thndr’s platform empowers users to save and grow their wealth with customizable savings plans and investment strategies. They provide tools and insights to help users make informed financial decisions.
• Financial Education: Recognizing the importance of financial literacy, Thndr is committed to educating its users. They offer a wealth of resources, including articles, videos, and webinars, to help individuals enhance their financial knowledge.
• Accessibility: Thndr is designed to be accessible to all Egyptians. They have made significant strides in ensuring their platform is user-friendly, even for those with limited financial experience or access to traditional banking services.

There are several factors driving this growth, including the increasing urbanization of the continent, the growth of the middle class, and the rise of e-commerce.

While the sector continues to experience a raft of challenges, a number of startups are working to address the challenges facing B2B and end-to-end distribution in Africa.

MarketForce is one such startup.

Who is MarketForce?

MarketForce is a Kenyan B2B e-commerce platform that digitizes retail distribution in Africa.

It enables informal merchants to order goods for next-day delivery directly from its merchant super-app dubbed RejaReja.

Traders are also able to access goods on credit based on the history of their transactions and credit profiles.

MarketForce was founded in 2018 by Tesh Mbaabu and Mesongo Sibuti.

The company is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and has operations in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with plans to expand to more African countries in the near future.

What Does MarketForce Do?

MarketForce offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to transform how retailers and brands interact with their customers and manage their operations.

Here are some key aspects of what MarketForce does:

• Retail Merchandising: MarketForce provides a cutting-edge platform that enables retailers to manage and optimize their in-store merchandising activities efficiently. This includes real-time visibility into store compliance, shelf space allocation, and inventory management.
• Mystery Shopping: The startup offers a unique mystery shopping platform that allows brands to gain valuable insights into their customers’ in-store experiences. This helps brands fine-tune their strategies to meet customer expectations better.
• Field Sales Optimization: MarketForce empowers field sales teams with tools to streamline their operations, from route planning to order management. This results in increased sales, reduced operational costs, and improved customer satisfaction.
• Data Analytics: Leveraging the power of data, MarketForce provides retailers and brands with actionable insights. This data-driven approach helps them make informed decisions, refine their strategies, and stay ahead in the competitive retail landscape.

MarketForce’s Mission:

At the heart of MarketForce’s mission is the desire to transform retail into a more customer-centric and efficient industry.

They aim to empower retailers and brands with the tools and insights to create exceptional shopping experiences.

MarketForce believes that enhancing the connection between brands and retailers can ultimately benefit the end consumer through improved product availability, better service, and personalized shopping experiences.

This inefficiency and opacity in the agricultural input supply chain can have a significant impact on farmers’ incomes and productivity.

However, in Kenya, iProcure, an agritech startup, has emerged as a beacon of hope and empowerment for farmers and a disruptor that is revolutionizing the agricultural supply chain like never before.

Who is iProcure?

iProcure is a Nairobi-based startup that is working to optimize the agricultural input supply chain in rural Africa.

Founded in 2013, iProcure has developed its distribution infrastructure, connecting major agricultural input suppliers directly to local agro-dealers via its proprietary distribution technology system.

Recognized as one of Kenya’s pioneers of digital agriculture, iProcure leverages technology to bridge the gap between farmers and essential agricultural inputs.

What Do They Do?

iProcure’s core mission revolves around providing farmers with access to quality agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and more, through a seamless digital platform.

Here’s how they accomplish this:

Digital Ordering Platform: iProcure has developed a user-friendly mobile and web application that allows farmers to order agricultural inputs directly from the comfort of their homes. This eliminates the need for farmers to travel long distances to access these crucial supplies.

Network of Retailers: iProcure collaborates with a vast network of retailers strategically located across rural areas. These retailers serve as collection points, ensuring that farmers can easily pick up their orders.

Quality Assurance: Ensuring the quality of agricultural inputs is a top priority for iProcure. They partner with reputable suppliers and provide farmers access to certified products, improving crop yields and quality.

Credit Solutions: To further support smallholder farmers, iProcure offers credit solutions, enabling farmers to access inputs even when they lack immediate funds. This innovative approach fosters financial inclusion in the agricultural sector.

Their Mission:

iProcure’s mission is crystal clear: to empower smallholder farmers with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to increase their agricultural productivity and improve their livelihoods.

They believe that by making high-quality agricultural inputs accessible and affordable, they can contribute to food security and economic growth in rural communities.

What They Have Achieved:

• Raising over $20 million in funding from investors such as Safaricom, IFC, and Rabobank.
• Expanding its operations to Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
• Building a network of over 10,000 agro-dealers.
• Supplying over 1 million smallholder farmers with agricultural inputs.

Impact:

iProcure’s work is having a significant impact on the agricultural sector in Africa.

By optimizing the supply chain, iProcure is helping to reduce the cost of agricultural inputs and make them more accessible to smallholder farmers.

This is leading to increased agricultural productivity and incomes for farmers.