Nigerian Startups Trade Lenda & AirSmat Secure Funding

Two Nigerian startups, Trade Lenda (fintech) and AirSmat (agri-tech), have received a combined investment of USD 450,000 from Village Capital’s Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility. This marks the fund’s entry into Nigeria after previously supporting ventures in Ghana.

Trade Lenda: Financial Services for SMEs & Farmers

Trade Lenda, founded by Adeshina Adewumi, provides digital financial solutions including business loans, embedded finance options, and Sharia-compliant financing tailored to small businesses and agricultural communities. The platform has already served over 260,000 customers across Nigeria’s five geopolitical zones, with women comprising 66% of its user base.

AirSmat: Turning Waste into Fertilizer & Carbon Credits

AirSmat, led by Soji Sanyaolu, addresses both agricultural waste and soil health challenges. The climate-tech startup converts agricultural residue into biochar-based fertilizer that improves soil quality while creating carbon market opportunities for farmers. With this funding, AirSmat plans to finalize construction of its commercial factory and scale production.

The investments were sourced through Africa Fintech Foundry, highlighting the growing ecosystem of support organizations connecting investors with promising ventures across the continent. This latest round underscores Nigeria’s position as a key destination for tech investment in Africa.