Digital Africa has made its first investment in Ethiopia, backing ChipChip, a technology platform designed to connect farms with buyers and improve food distribution across the agricultural supply chain.
ChipChip uses data and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the distribution of agricultural produce between farmers and buyers. The platform aims to address inefficiencies that can leave farmers earning less for their produce while consumers pay higher prices for food.
By connecting producers directly with buyers through a technology-driven platform, ChipChip seeks to reduce value lost between farms and households, improve supply-chain efficiency and strengthen connections between agricultural producers and consumers.
Sokhna Mbaye, Investment Associate at Digital Africa, said the investment reflects confidence in ChipChip’s team and its ability to scale its business model.
“We believe the team has the skills and ground knowledge to make this model work at scale,” Mbaye said.
The investment marks Digital Africa’s entry into Ethiopia’s technology ecosystem, expanding its portfolio of African startups using digital solutions to address economic and social challenges.
ChipChip is led by Bruk Getahun, Yasin Aman, Hannes Garben and Amir Redwan, alongside its wider team. The company’s technology-driven approach focuses on improving how agricultural produce moves from farms to buyers.
Agricultural supply chains across Africa face challenges involving distribution inefficiencies, market access and the costs associated with connecting producers to consumers. Digital platforms using data and AI can help improve coordination, provide better connections between market participants and reduce inefficiencies in food distribution.
Digital Africa’s investment highlights growing interest in African agritech businesses applying emerging technologies to agricultural challenges. As the continent’s technology ecosystem develops, solutions that improve supply-chain efficiency could help strengthen market access for farmers while supporting more efficient food distribution.
