OKO, a leading ClimateTech and AgriTech startup, has secured a six-digit funding round led by Catalyst Fund, with the participation of two existing investors. This funding will accelerate the company’s commercial growth and further strengthen its mission to build economic resilience for millions of African farmers facing the growing threat of climate shocks. The announcement comes shortly after OKO’s recognition as one of the 22 African startups selected for the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator Program, underlining its growing impact and visibility in the ecosystem.
Operating across Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Uganda, Mozambique, and Angola, OKO has already protected more than 33,000 farmers. By successfully executing all validated claim payments, the startup has reinforced trust among both farmers and institutional partners. With this new round of capital, OKO is set to deepen its partnerships with financial institutions, agritechs, and agro-industries by embedding automated climate insurance solutions into agricultural value chains. This will help partners de-risk their operations while ensuring farmers remain resilient against unpredictable climate challenges.
The company’s approach is not only about insurance but about creating a system that integrates technology and financial tools into agriculture, making climate risk management more accessible. By automating insurance within agricultural value chains, OKO empowers stakeholders at every level – from smallholder farmers to large agribusinesses – to mitigate losses and secure long-term sustainability in the face of climate volatility. This positions OKO as a vital player in bridging the climate protection gap across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Speaking on the investment, Simon Schwall, CEO of OKO, emphasized the urgency of climate resilience: “With climate volatility intensifying across Africa, insurance is no longer optional, it’s essential. We are incredibly proud to have Catalyst Fund lead this round. Their mission-oriented approach and deep expertise in impact ventures and climate resilience align perfectly with our vision.” He added that the funding validates the company’s achievements so far and strengthens its commitment to making climate insurance accessible to both smallholder and commercial farmers.
Catalyst Fund underscored its confidence in OKO’s model, citing its transformative potential for financial institutions and agribusinesses. “The imperative to build a more resilient and inclusive financial system is at the core of our work,” said Maxime Bayen, Operating Partner at Catalyst Fund. “OKO’s technology provides a powerful solution to a pressing global problem, and we believe their platform is a game-changer for agricultural value chains.” With this support, OKO is set to expand its reach, strengthen partnerships, and provide farmers across Africa with data-driven resilience tools that safeguard livelihoods and food security.
