About

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.