Drawing on his background as an investment banker in the financial sector, he shifted his focus to transforming the agricultural industry. His career path demonstrates a clear resolve to address economic challenges with practical solutions.

A finance expert and tech entrepreneur, South African Eugene Roodt (photo) has emerged as one of the key figures in the transformation of African agriculture. As co-founder of the startup Nile, he is betting on technology to bridge the gap between farmers and both regional and international markets, while improving their access to financing and agricultural inputs.

In 2020, alongside Louis de Kock and Rick Kleynhans, Roodt launched Nile.ag with the aim of removing the structural barriers that hinder agricultural trade across the continent. The platform operates as a digital marketplace, allowing farmers to sell their fresh produce directly to professional buyers. It integrates digital tools for managing logistics, traceability, quality control, and payments.

With a processing capacity of 2,500 tons of fresh produce per day, Nile now serves clients in 38 countries. It offers an alternative to traditional supply chains by cutting out middlemen, speeding up payments, and increasing transparency around pricing and product quality. The platform also includes a marketplace for agricultural inputs, helping farmers invest, grow, and gain independence.

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Nile announced a $11.3 million fundraising round to scale its impact and promote wider adoption of digital commerce among African farmers.

Eugene Roodt holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Stellenbosch University, earned in 2013. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, he worked as an investment banker at J.P. Morgan between 2017 and 2020.

By Melchior Koba,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji