Releaf Company Profile

Background

Releaf is a Nigerian agritech company founded in 2017 by Ikenna Nzewi and Uzoma Ayogu. The company focuses on industrializing food processing in Africa to create shared prosperity. Its mission is to build climate-adaptive supply chains in response to Africa's growing population, starting with making vegetable oil more affordable and supplying it to Nigerian food factories. Releaf operates a network of smart factories closer to farmers, acting as a bridge between food factories and smallholder farmers to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality inputs for the factories.

Key Strategic Focus

Releaf's strategic focus includes:

Core Objectives: Industrializing food processing in Africa, improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, and enhancing the efficiency of food factories.

Areas of Specialization: Supply chain technology, agricultural processing, and climate-adaptive solutions.

Key Technologies Utilized: Proprietary hardware like the Kraken de-shelling machine, digital technologies such as USSD and open banking, and AI-driven solutions for supply chain management.

Primary Markets Targeted: Smallholder farmers and food factories in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

Financials and Funding

Releaf has secured significant funding to fuel its growth, raising a total of $6.37 million over several rounds from investors including Samurai Incubate Africa, Future Africa, Consonance Investment Managers, Y Combinator, and high-profile angel investors like Justin Kan (Twitch) and Stephen Pagliuca (Bain Capital). The company also received $1.5 million in grants from USAID and The Challenge Fund for Youth Employment.

Pipeline Development

Releaf's key pipeline developments include:

Kraken De-shelling Machine: A proprietary, patent-pending technology that processes palm nuts 25 times faster than local equipment, achieving a 95% purity rate.

Biochar Production Facility: In May 2025, Releaf launched Nigeria's first industrial biochar production facility in Cross River State, converting palm kernel shells into biochar for carbon sequestration and soil enhancement.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Releaf's technological innovations include:

Proprietary Technologies: The Kraken de-shelling machine, which processes palm nuts 25 times faster than local equipment, achieving a 95% purity rate.

Significant Scientific Methods: Utilization of pyrolysis to convert palm kernel shells into biochar, a process that sequesters carbon and enhances soil fertility.

AI-Driven Capabilities: Development of an in-house geospatial mapping tool called SITE to optimize facility locations and supply chain management.

Leadership Team

Releaf's leadership team comprises:

Ikenna Nzewi: Co-founder and CEO, with a background in business and technology, leading the company's strategic direction and operations.

Uzoma Ayogu: Co-founder and CTO, with a background in mechanical engineering, responsible for the development of Releaf's proprietary technologies.

Market Insights and Competitor Analysis

The African agritech sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the need for efficient food processing solutions and the increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices. Releaf operates in a competitive landscape with several key players.

Key competitors include:

Agrisync: Provides communication and support solutions for farmers and agribusinesses.

Agri MarketPlace: Offers a digital platform connecting farmers with buyers to streamline the agricultural supply chain.

Aliro, Inc.: Develops software solutions for the agriculture industry.

These competitors focus on various aspects of the agricultural value chain, including communication, marketplace facilitation, and software development.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Releaf has established significant partnerships to strengthen its market position:

Glass Pharms: In October 2024, Releaf signed a multi-million-pound contract with Glass Pharms, a leading domestic producer of medical cannabis in the UK, to supply 145kg of high-quality medical-grade cannabis.

Operational Insights

Releaf's strategic considerations include:

Major Competitors: Companies like Agrisync, Agri MarketPlace, and Aliro, Inc.

Market Position: Releaf holds a strong position in the Nigerian agritech sector, with plans for expansion into other African markets.

Competitive Advantages: Proprietary technologies like the Kraken de-shelling machine, a robust network of over 2,000 smallholder farmers, and a focus on sustainable practices.