By Mary Onyia
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in partnership with the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) has unveiled the FCMB–FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Programme 2025, aimed at identifying, supporting, and financing Nigeria’s most promising agritech startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).
The initiative, developed in collaboration with Heave Ventures, seeks to boost access to capital and accelerate the scalability of innovative agritech businesses.
The programme will offer a competitive grant prize pool of N20 million, awarded to ventures deemed most investment-ready.
Participants will also benefit from digital learning and fundability scoring via Zimara, a proprietary platform that utilises alternative data and established readiness benchmarks to pinpoint bankable startups.
Applications are open at on.fcmb.com/AgricTech-Hackathon from August 8 to September 12, 2025. The top twenty startups will then enter an intensive six-week investment readiness programme, culminating in a pitch presentation before a panel of distinguished investors in October 2025.
Speaking on the programme, Mr. Kudzai Gumunyu, Divisional Head of Agribusiness and Non-Oil Exports at FCMB, said the programme is more than providing traditional funding.
“It is a commitment to nurturing and empowering agritech startups to contribute to the agribusiness landscape and unlock its full potential.
“It reflects our mission to drive inclusive and sustainable growth through an African-rooted ecosystem that connects people, capital, and markets.
“This initiative will help prepare these startups for investment opportunities, enhancing their potential to transform Nigeria’s agritech sector”, Gumunyu said.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Heave Ventures, Abiodun Lawal, highlighted the programme’s potential impact.
“Scaling agribusiness innovation can revitalize entire value chains — from production to processing to export — creating millions of jobs, boosting foreign exchange earnings, and positioning Africa as a key global food and agri-tech supplier.
“Agriculture is a powerful lever against poverty and unemployment and is central to achieving food sovereignty. Investing in agribusiness is an investment in the continent’s economic independence, resilience against global challenges, and the dignity of its people. We are delighted by the commitment shown by FCMB and FMO in supporting agritech startups on their growth journey”, he said.