Five funding opportunities for agribusinesses in 2025

Agriculture holds great promise for the country, with Nigeria’s arable vast lands, favourable climate and growing investments in farming infrastructures.

Despite these potentials, entrepreneurs across various value chains in the food system struggle to survive, while most fail after three years of establishment.

Experts have attributed this insufficient capital and capacity as the sector is hugely susceptible to climate related shocks.

BusinessDay in its usual manner has identified five funding opportunities that agripreneurs can tap to raise funding for the businesses in 2025. In no particular order, they are;

World food prize foundation: innovate for impact challenge

In partnership with America’s Cultivation Corridor, the World Food Prize Foundation is launching the Innovate for Impact Challenge to accelerate AgTech development.

The challenge seeks early-stage, tech-driven startups with transformative solutions to address global food security and sustainability. It invites global entrepreneurs to present groundbreaking technologies that align with the Foundation’s mission to combat hunger and promote sustainable food systems.

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Eligibility Criteria

The Challenge is open to early-stage, for-profit AgTech startups with at least one full-time founder, demonstrating innovation, market potential, and alignment with sustainability goals. Selected startups will gain global exposure by presenting at the 2025 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, alongside 1,500+ leaders from over 70 countries.

It also offers opportunities to connect with investors, experts, policymakers, and potential partners. The top three finalists will receive $50,000 for 1st place, $10,000 for 2nd, and $5,000 for 3rd. The application deadline is 15th April, 2025.’

Arrel global food innovation awards

The Arrell Global Food Innovation Award seeks agripreneurs focused on food innovation and community impact. The 2025 award will recognize individuals or organizations improving nutritional health and food security, especially in disadvantaged communities.

The prize includes CAD 125,000 ($100,000 in cash and $25,000 for travel and accommodation), administered by the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph. Recipients may also be invited to the next Arrell Food Summit. Applications should focus on household nutrition, urban poverty, traditional food systems, food sovereignty, and food insecurity.

Eligibility criteria

Citizens from any country, regardless of gender, religion, race, creed, or residency, are eligible to apply. Nominations must be submitted by private companies, academic institutions, government agencies, charitable foundations, or NGOs.

To enhance the likelihood of success, applications should demonstrate a proven track record of strengthening food systems in disadvantaged communities and align with the goals of the awarding organization. The submission deadline is April 24, 2025.

AfDB seedlab 2025: Agri-SME support program

The Seed Lab is a key initiative to support agri-SMEs under the African Development Bank’s Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism’s (ACFM) Technical Assistance Window, delivered through Open Capital’s Agri-SME Support Program.

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It is a comprehensive, cohort-based capacity-building initiative crafted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Open Capital that Leverages decades of experience supporting Agri-SMEs across Sub-Saharan Africa. This exclusive 3-month program is designed to propel agribusinesses forward.

Eligibility criteria

Applications are open to agribusinesses in countries like Burkina Faso, DRC, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia.

Eligible businesses should have annual revenues of $100,000-$500,000, 5-50 employees, and a capital raise target of $50,000-$750,000, operating in food system value chains or supporting ecosystem players like producers, processors, and Ag-tech firms.

The Seed Lab provides a personalised, comprehensive curriculum for Agri-SMEs, guiding them through every stage—from designing a business model to scaling operations and securing external capital.

Priority will be given to SMEs with gender-inclusive and climate-resilient practices, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable food systems and community impact. The deadline is 25th April,2025.

RFPs small grants program

The Micronutrient Data Innovation Alliance (DInA) has launched its second Small Grants Program, inviting organizations in low- and middle-income countries to apply for funding to strengthen large-scale food fortification (LSFF) data.

This initiative focuses on country-led efforts to enhance the LSFF data ecosystem, a proven, cost-effective intervention to improve micronutrient intake and address deficiencies.

Grants of up to $15,000 will support projects that improve data collection and analysis, enabling more effective food fortification efforts.

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify, applicants must reside and work in a low- or middle-income country as classified by the World Bank.

They should also be a member of DInA and represent an organization or stakeholder group, such as a government agency, academic institution, or non-profit organization.

Additionally, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to working on a policy-related topic concerning LSFF (Livelihoods, Safety, Food, and Finance). The deadline is 30th April, 2025.

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Young impact associates in agri-food systems

The YIA Fellowship is a year-long program designed to develop African leaders who can drive meaningful change in Africa’s agrifood systems. Selected participants will receive a monthly stipend for 12 months.

Upon completion, successful fellows will join the Mastercard Foundation Global Alumni Network, gaining access to a community of changemakers and passionate leaders.

The program is open to residents of Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, aged 18-35, who are committed to fully participating in the 12-month journey. Applicants need to submit a CV and a one-page motivation letter. The application deadline is April 30, 2025.