WILLAGRI
The climate emergency is becoming the first subject of concern for African startups. Those dedicated to climate research benefited from 40% of ag tech fundraising in Africa in 2024, 19% more than in 2023 according to an Agfunder report.
For example, the Moroccan startup Yola Fresh raised $7 million in May 2024 thanks to the African private equity fund Al Mada in partnership with Algebra Ventures, E3 Capital, Janngo Capital and the Dutch bank FMO. This 7 billion is in addition to the $2 raised in March 2024.
In an interview with Agfunder News, Yola’s two founders, Larbi Alaoui Belghiti and Youssef Mamou, explained: “Yola tackles major challenges such as food waste, dysfunctions in the distribution of fresh produce and restricted market access for smallholder farmers. Our technology-driven logistics platform enables farmers to deliver their produce faster, reduce waste, and improve their livelihoods. »
Yola Fresh was established in Casablanca in 2023 with the mission of streamlining the fresh produce supply chain in Africa by introducing technological tools and data that break with traditional models. According to the two founders of Yola, “the company was inspired by the need to create a more efficient and sustainable food system in which smallholder farmers play a central role in reducing carbon emissions and water consumption while accessing more attractive markets.”
Yola Fresh operates in the upstream supply chain and belongs to the Agfunder agrifoodtech AG Marketplaces & Fintech category which, to date, in 2024 has received 41% of the overall funding of ag tech in Africa, or $65 million. Agricultural robotics startups received 17.5% of these investments, with $28 million, while farm management software, sensing and IoT (Internet of Things) raised $1.5 million (1% of the total).
$45 million for climate-related startups
When asked about the state of Africa’s ecosystem, its future and opportunities, the Yola Fresh team said that investor interest remains “an important support for innovations that not only address food security, but also focus on reducing food waste, improving water use efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.”
Yola Fresh is one of the African startups that are developing new solutions to help smallholders while reducing the negative impact on the climate. In 2024, African climate-related startups raised $45 million (40% of funding) compared to $67 million for non-climate-related startups. These figures are a clear increase compared to 2023.
When asked how they plan to help address the challenges of climate technologies, Yola Fresh’s co-founders replied: “Over the next five years, Yola Fresh will expand into African markets by expanding its network of smallholder farmers and helping them increase their incomes through equitable market access. Reducing food waste, water consumption and carbon emissions will be part of building a more sustainable supply chain. We want to become a leader in the distribution of fresh produce in North Africa by promoting both the prosperity of farmers and the sustainability of the environment.”
In 2024, Moroccan ag tech startups attracted $13 million in two fundraising operations, or 8.3% of the $157 million invested in the African continent in the same year. The kingdom is thus in fourth place after Kenya, Egypt and Nigeria.
According to Agfunder of 4 November 2025