FasterCapital Backs SmPD's FarmPro Community Premium Nigerian Palm Oil Play for European Markets

Lagos, Nigeria & Dubai, UAE - October 1, 2025
SmPD and FasterCapital today announced a strategic partnership
through FasterCapital's Equitypilot program to accelerate SmPD's
premium Nigerian palm oil initiative across local and European markets,
leveraging joint capital, market-access channels and technical support to
address persistent supply deficits and capture 15-20% export premiums.

Market opportunity & problem
Nigeria faces a structural palm oil deficit (~1.4M MT; >$1.5B) while
Europe imports roughly 6.6M MT annually and pays a premium for
traceable, sustainable supplies. Fragmented smallholder production,
limited traceability and export-grade aggregation constrain Nigerian
competitiveness. SmPD targets this white space by building export-ready
plantations, smallholder clusters and a direct premium export channel -
converting local supply inefficiencies into an internationally priced,
sustainable commodity pipeline for European off-takers.

Startup solution & differentiation
SmPD deploys a three-pronged model: (1) commercial plantations (10
hectare JV-ready blocks), (2) farmer-cluster aggregation programs that
raise yields and formalize supply contracts, and (3) a direct premium
export channel to Europe emphasizing sustainable practices and full
traceability. This integrated approach reduces middlemen costs, improves
traceability to meet EU sustainability criteria, and captures a 15-20%
price premium. Early pilots show improved yields and signed offtake
interest from regional processors; SmPD's field teams and technical
advisors offer hands-on farmer training and certification-ready traceability
systems that create a defensible, scalable supply advantage.

FasterCapital partnership value
Joining FasterCapital's Equitypilot provides SmPD with global investor
visibility, technical mentorship, and access to FasterCapital's fundraising
and go-to-market networks. FasterCapital's selective criteria ensure
SmPD was chosen for strong unit economics, measurable impact, and
scalable operations. Over the next 12 months, Equitypilot resources will
support supply-chain digitization, certification financing, and pilot-to
export scaling accelerating SmPD's path to commercial exports and
follow-on capital rounds.

Executive quotes
"Harnessing proven agri-tech models and supply-chain rigor, SmPD
addresses a clear market gap with strong ESG and export upside.
FasterCapital is proud to back a team converting Nigerian agricultural
potential into premium European demand," said Hesham Zreik,
investment lead, FasterCapital.
Johnson Mac-Ejere, MD of SmPD, said: "This partnership validates our
model plantations, empowered smallholders and direct premium
channels. FasterCapital's mentorship and capital access will accelerate
certification, traceability and our first European shipments, delivering real
income uplift to farmers and foreign exchange to Nigeria."

Growth trajectory & future plans
In 12 months SmPD will finalize JV plantation blocks, scale three
smallholder clusters, deploy digital traceability, and secure EU-ready
sustainability certifications. Revenue-driven milestones include first
premium exports within 9-12 months and a Series A fundraising target
within 18 months to expand plantation acreage and cluster network
across key states. Longer term SmPD aims to supply Europe's specialty
edible oil segment while catalyzing a transparent Nigerian palm oil value
chain.

Media Contact:
Rasha Almasri
www.fastercapital.com
+971 555 855 663
contact@fastercapital.com
rasha.almasri@fastercapital.com
+1 (512) 400-0256
Address: Grandstand, 0612, 6th floor, Meydan Freezone, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, UAE

SmPd Limited
+2347065898829

About SmPD - FarmPro Community
SmPD is an agribusiness focused on transforming Nigerian palm oil
through integrated plantations, smallholder cluster empowerment and
premium export channels. Founded to create lasting local impact, SmPD
combines field expertise, sustainability practices and commercial offtake
strategies to deliver traceable, high-value palm oil to both local markets
and discerning international buyers.

About FasterCapital :
FasterCapital is a global venture builder and online incubator dedicated to
co-funding and co-founding innovative startups. Established in 2014, we
are now #1 venture builder in terms of number of startups that we have
helped, money invested and money raised. It supports startups worldwide
through various programs, including funding assistance, business
development, and technical support. The LaunchUp program is designed
to help early-stage startups build scalable solutions with mentorship,
strategic guidance, and network support.

This release was published on openPR.