Uka Eje is not just transforming agriculture in Africa, he is redefining what is possible for the continent’s smallholder farmers.
A visionary agripreneur, technology innovator, and change-maker, Uka stands at the forefront of Africa’s agricultural revolution, proving that food security, profitability, and inclusive growth can thrive together.
Born and raised in Benue State, Nigeria, one of the country’s agricultural heartlands, Uka’s story is deeply rooted in the soil he now seeks to empower.
Growing up in farming communities, he witnessed firsthand the challenges that held farmers back, limited access to finance, poor-quality inputs, low yields driven by lack of data, and unreliable markets. These realities did more than shape his perspective; they ignited a mission.
Armed with academic training in Biochemistry from Covenant University and an unshakable desire to solve real problems, Uka co-founded ThriveAgric alongside Ayodeji Arikawe.
What began as a bold idea has grown into one of Africa’s most impactful agritech platforms, reshaping the agricultural value chain through technology, finance, and market access.
Under Uka’s leadership, ThriveAgric has delivered extraordinary, measurable impact. The company has traded over 1.5 million metric tonnes of grains, strengthening food security across multiple countries.
It has reached more than 514,000 farmers across over 2,900 communities in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, tripling farmer productivity and doubling incomes, results that translate into real economic transformation for families and rural communities.
Investor confidence has followed impact, with ThriveAgric securing over $150 million in funding to scale its vision.
At the core of this success is ThriveAgric’s Agricultural Operating System (AOS), a powerful technology platform that bridges farmers to what they need most.
Through AOS, farmers gain access to financing and input loans, data-driven insights to improve yields, and premium local and global markets that guarantee fair pricing and demand.
Sustainability is woven into the model through soil testing, responsible land management, and tailored fertilizer blends that promote long-term agricultural health.
Uka’s influence extends beyond execution; he is a respected voice in global conversations on agriculture and food systems.
An alumnus of Y Combinator, Alibaba Business School, Google Launchpad Accelerator, and the University of Leeds’ Future of Food Programme, he has shared insights on global stages including the World Bank and Harvard Business School.
Known as a curious conceptual thinker and relentless problem-solver, Uka continuously reinvents systems to deliver value across the entire agricultural ecosystem.
Yet, his ambition reaches even further. Uka envisions a future where 10 million farmers across Africa are empowered by ThriveAgric by 2027, with a deliberate commitment to inclusion, targeting 40% female farmer participation.
It is a vision grounded not only in scale, but in equity, resilience, and shared prosperity.
Today, we proudly recognize Uka Eje as a Crest Africa Under 40 CEO, a leader whose work is reshaping Africa’s agricultural narrative and proving that innovation, when driven by purpose, can uplift millions.
Uka Eje is more than an agritech founder. He is a symbol of a new generation of African leaders, bold enough to challenge broken systems, visionary enough to rebuild them, and committed enough to ensure that progress reaches those who need it most.
Image Credit: @ijeworks
