Trade Lenda and AirSmat Secure Seed Funding to Expand Financial Access and Climate Solutions

Nigeria’s burgeoning startup scene continues to attract international investment with two promising companies recently securing a combined $450,000 from the Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility. This pilot program, backed by Dutch institutions FMO and RVO, focuses on providing early-stage capital to climate resilience and economic mobility ventures across Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

The first investment went to Trade Lenda, a digital financial services platform that provides business loans, embedded finance solutions, and Sharia-compliant financing for SMEs. Since launching, Trade Lenda has supported over 260,000 businesses and farmers across five of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, with two-thirds of customers being women. According to co-founder Adeshina Adewumi, this capital infusion enabled the company to acquire a higher operating license and attract additional funding at more favorable terms.

The second recipient is AirSmat, a climate tech startup converting agricultural waste into biochar-based fertilizer. This sustainable solution removes carbon from the atmosphere while improving soil health, increasing crop yields, and generating new income streams for farmers through carbon markets. Founder Soji Sanyaolu noted that this investment will enable them to complete their commercial factory and scale operations.

What distinguished these two startups, according to Village Capital’s Husein Merchant, is how they strengthen essential systems for businesses and farmers alike. Trade Lenda expands financial access while AirSmat transforms waste into valuable resources—both addressing critical needs in the Nigerian economy.

This investment marks a significant milestone for the Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility, which has already backed five startups in Ghana and plans to support more high-potential ventures across the continent through its locally-led approach.