Editor’s note: African-Startups is a sister publication of EU-Startups, bringing trusted coverage of startups, venture capital, and innovation across Africa.
develoPPP Ventures, the programme backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has selected six African startups for its tenth cohort.
The programme aims to support young companies working to improve living conditions in developing or emerging countries and looking to grow.
As part of the programme, each company will receive $114k (€100,000) in non-dilutive funding together with tailored technical assistance.
The programme, implemented by DEG Impulse and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has now supported more than 120 companies since launch.
Here are the six new ventures from Africa joining the portfolio.
Incuti Foods
HQ: Rwanda
Incuti Foods is a Rwandan food brand that buys chilli from local farmers and makes high-quality sauces. They aim to promote African flavours, support local farming, and create jobs in their community. By sourcing and producing locally, Incuti Foods helps reduce imports and expand African food products in regional and international markets.
Kumbatia Seafood
HQ: Kenya
Kumbatia Seafood connects local fishers on the Swahili Coast with markets at home and abroad. They provide training, financing, and a cold-chain system to enhance the quality and traceability of seafood. This approach helps fishers meet international standards ( FDA, EU, KEBS, GSA, and HACCP certifications), earn more money, and promotes responsible fishing and marine conservation.
Lishe360
HQ: Tanzania
Malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of five in Tanzania. Lishe360 produces affordable nutrition products for mothers and young children in Tanzania, combining local manufacturing with digital nutrition education. The company aims to improve nutrition outcomes by making healthy food more accessible
MoneyPhone Africa
HQ: Rwanda
MoneyPhone Africa provides digital agricultural loans through a cooperative-based lending model. The fintech company develops technology that helps microfinance institutions and SME banks digitise lending services. By improving access to affordable credit through smartphones, MoneyPhone helps financial institutions reach more borrowers while giving smallholder farmers better access to financing.
NYOTA
HQ: Kenya
NYOTA sources produce from smallholder farmers and supplies processed frozen vegetables to urban consumers through an integrated distribution network. The company focuses on reducing post-harvest losses and improving food supply reliability. It also develops digital loyalty platforms that strengthen relationships between businesses and consumers.
Trianon Spices Investment
HQ: Tanzania
Trianon Spices Investment works with smallholder farmers in Tanzania to source and process cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper for export markets. The company uses quality assurance and certification systems to improve traceability and give farmers access to premium markets. Its long-term goal is to strengthen Tanzania’s position as a producer of high-quality spices while promoting regenerative agriculture and protecting biodiversity.
