Kenya Hosts AfDB Conference on Smallholder Farmer Financing – The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO) convene in Nairobi to discuss innovative financial solutions for Africa’s smallholder farmers, who produce 70% of the continent’s food.

Kenya Hosts AfDB Conference on Financing Smallholder Farmers

Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing agricultural financing solutions as it hosts the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO) Conference on scaling financial access for smallholder farmers. The high-profile event, held in Nairobi, brought together policymakers, development partners, and industry leaders to address financial bottlenecks in Africa’s agricultural sector.

Speaking at the conference, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, emphasized the urgent need for practical and inclusive financial solutions to support small-scale farmers, who contribute 70% of the continent’s food production and remain the backbone of Africa’s agricultural economy.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of our continent, providing livelihoods for over 60% of Africa’s population and significantly contributing to GDP. Yet, small-scale farmers—who feed our nations—struggle to access essential financial resources,” stated Kagwe.

The event welcomed AfDB Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Ms. Beth Dunford, alongside agriculture ministers from across Africa, industry captains, and representatives from PAFO. The discussions centered on investment in key agricultural areas, including soil analysis, fertilizer access, cold chain infrastructure, and agribusiness industrialization.

CS Kagwe stressed the need for immediate action to transform agriculture from a struggling sector into a thriving industry. “Agriculture is more than a food source—it is a driver of economic growth, job creation, and food security. If we prioritize innovative, practical financing measures, we will turn agriculture into a powerful engine of economic growth,” he remarked.

As Kenya continues to position itself as a leader in agricultural transformation, the conference underscored the importance of collaborative financing models that ensure no farmer is left behind. The discussions are expected to pave the way for strengthened partnerships, increased investment, and policy reforms aimed at boosting financial inclusion for smallholder farmers across Africa.

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1742215720092-1024x1010.jpeghttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1742215720092-150x150.jpegFarmersTrendFarming NewsAfDB ConferenceKenya Hosts AfDB Conference on Smallholder Farmer Financing – The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO) convene in Nairobi to discuss innovative financial solutions for Africa’s smallholder farmers, who produce 70% of the continent’s food.Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing agricultural financing solutions as...New Generation Culture in Agriculture