Shoptreo Secures New Funding to Expand Nigeria’s Artisanal Exports

Nigerian e-commerce startup Shoptreo has raised fresh funding to scale its operations and boost global access to locally made artisanal products. While the exact amount remains undisclosed, the round was led by early-stage investor Rebel Seed Capital, which typically backs startups with investments between $10,000 and $50,000.

Shoptreo is building a digital bridge between Nigeria’s informal markets and international buyers, with a particular focus on the Aba Artisanal Leather Cluster—one of the continent’s largest producers of handcrafted leather goods. The startup equips local artisans with digital storefronts, logistics support, payment solutions, and inventory management tools, helping them streamline their businesses and meet demand beyond Nigeria.

The company also offers inventory financing for approved distributors and bulk buyers, providing critical working capital to help them scale and handle large orders. This financing aims to ease common cash flow constraints that often limit growth for grassroots producers.

George Uteh, Founder and CEO of Shoptreo, said: “Rebel Seed Capital’s vision aligns closely with our mission to create value in underrepresented segments of the economy. This funding will fuel our expansion efforts and help us take Aba’s world-class leather products to international markets.”

The new capital will support Shoptreo’s plans to onboard hundreds of additional artisans, invest in product development, and strengthen partnerships with logistics and financial service providers to ensure reliable order fulfillment and seamless cross-border transactions.

Emeka Okoye, Managing Partner at Rebel Seed Capital, said: “The Aba Artisanal Leather Cluster represents a massive economic opportunity. With the right digital transformation, it can unlock unprecedented levels of wealth and prosperity. The Shoptreo team has shown the hunger, drive, and execution ability needed to succeed in this space.”