Osomobegbe Eugene's Startup Journey: Revolutionising Post-Harvest Agriculture in Nigeria

This case study details the growth of Osomobegbe Global Ventures Limited (OGV), a Nigerian enterprise founded by Osomobegbe Eugene to combat post-harvest losses through solar drying technology. The document outlines OGV's technical approach, its business model for smallholder farmers, its youth employment initiatives, and the systemic challenges facing agritech startups in Nigeria.

• Osomobegbe Global Ventures Limited (OGV), founded in 2019, provides solar drying solutions using locally sourced wood and metal, integrated with solar panels and blowers. This technology is applicable to proteins (fish and meat), fruits (mangoes and pineapples), and vegetables (tomatoes and peppers), allowing produce to be preserved for a year or more.
• To ensure accessibility for small-scale producers who cannot afford full units, OGV operates solar drying centres where farmers pay a fee for dehydration services. Additionally, the company provides optional market linkage services to connect farmers with off-takers for a percentage fee.
• OGV has implemented a significant youth engagement strategy, involving over 300 volunteers (mostly aged 18-35) and 100 interns. The company currently employs 20 youth in paid positions, with over 70% being women aged 18 to 45.
• The company faces operational challenges regarding youth retention due to financial constraints and family obligations, leading to a cycle of repeated onboarding and loss of skills continuity. Osomobegbe suggests that competitive stipends and community-based centres could mitigate these disruptions.
• OGV has scaled its impact from 300 to nearly 4,000 smallholder farmers. Its five-year roadmap includes reaching 10,000 farmers, installing at least 1,000 solar dryers across Nigeria, and creating 1,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs.

APA

Ashraf, M. (2025). Osomobegbe Eugene's Startup Journey: Revolutionising Post-Harvest Agriculture in Nigeria. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/osomobegbe-eugenes-startup-journey-revolutionising-post-harvest-agriculture-in-nigeria

Chicago

Ashraf, Manar. Osomobegbe Eugene's Startup Journey: Revolutionising Post-Harvest Agriculture in Nigeria. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2025. https://afripoli.org/osomobegbe-eugenes-startup-journey-revolutionising-post-harvest-agriculture-in-nigeria.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ashraf |first1=Manar |title=Osomobegbe Eugene's Startup Journey: Revolutionising Post-Harvest Agriculture in Nigeria |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=18 June 2025 |url=https://afripoli.org/osomobegbe-eugenes-startup-journey-revolutionising-post-harvest-agriculture-in-nigeria |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ashraf2025osomobegbe, author = {Ashraf, Manar}, title = {{Osomobegbe Eugene's Startup Journey: Revolutionising Post-Harvest Agriculture in Nigeria}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://afripoli.org/osomobegbe-eugenes-startup-journey-revolutionising-post-harvest-agriculture-in-nigeria}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }