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COOKO, an innovative AgTech startup based in Cameroon, has raised $872,000 in pre-seed funding to revolutionize the country’s cocoa value chain.
The funding round, led by a US family office, will see COOKO bring about significant advancements and sustainability in Cameroon’s cocoa industry.
COOKO aims to address critical challenges cocoa farmers face in Cameroon, including low productivity, supply chain inefficiencies, and climate change’s adverse impact.
With this recent investment, the startup plans to deploy cutting-edge technologies and implement sustainable practices to transform how cocoa is grown, harvested, processed, and marketed. COOKO’s innovative approach involves leveraging technology, data analytics, and precision farming techniques to optimize cocoa cultivation. The startup plans to provide farmers with access to crucial data and insights that can enhance crop management, improve yield, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Additionally, COOKO plans to establish a digital platform that connects cocoa farmers directly with buyers, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring fair prices for their produce.

Chui Ventures, the pan-African early-stage venture capital firm with a gender-inclusive investment philosophy, has closed its maiden Fund I at US$17.3 million, comfortably surpassing its initial target of US$10 million.

South African e-commerce logistics firm Pargo has secured $4 million in funding to fuel its expansion into Egypt, where it has introduced over 500 “Pargo Points” to enhance delivery options.

Kenyan electric mobility company Roam is gearing up to launch 10 additional solar-powered Roam Hubs in Nairobi, supported by funding from ENERGICA, an initiative under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program.