Agence Française de Developement Group subsidiary Proparco and Equity Group have signed an agreement granting technical assistance of one million euros (Sh141 million) to Equity Group Foundation (EGF).
The money is meant for the implementation of the Foundation’s high-impact project Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS).
This partnership aims to support smallholder Kenyan farmers in the adoption of sustainable farming practices.
Agriculture is a key driver of Kenya’s economic development, accounting for approximately 30 per cent of the GDP and 45 per cent of export earnings.
As the backbone of rural livelihoods, it sustains 75 per cent of rural communities and employs over 70 per cent of the rural workforce, 60 per cent of whom are women and youth.
The EGF, formed in 2008 as the social arm of Equity Group Holdings, implements high-impact development programs, such as the “Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems” (CRAFS) project, which seeks to help Kenyan smallholder farmers adopt Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA).
This approach boosts productivity, enhances resilience to climate shocks, and reduces agricultural emissions through sustainable practices.
The CRAFS project, led by EGF in collaboration with Equity Group, will provide training, financial access, and knowledge exchange to support small-scale producers.
A dedicated field team will ensure on-the-ground implementation, while suppliers and value chain actors play a key role in empowering farmers and microbusinesses.
Targeting 15,000 farmers annually engaged in livestock or crop value chains, the project will provide training, sensitisation, access to finance, linkage, and knowledge exchange around productive use of energy, sustainable production practices, waste to energy, and water harvesting and management.
“In a country where agriculture is critical for employment, food security, environment and foreign currency earning, the collaboration between France through Proparco and EGF will be key to supporting SMEs and entrepreneurship,” said French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet during the signing on Wednesday in Nairobi.
“This project illustrates that our steadfast partnership with Equity Group will allow local businesses to thrive and grassroots initiatives to emerge in sectors such as agriculture but also health, higher education, fintech, and renewable energy. I commend Dr James Mwangi and Equity Group for our fruitful cooperation.”
Proparco Regional Director for East Africa Jean Guyonnet-Duperat expressed his joy at signing the MoU.
“Proparco is very pleased to strengthen its partnership with a longstanding client and leading player on the African continent, Equity Group,” said Duperat.
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Equity Group CEO Dr James Mwangi termed the partnership a major milestone for the lender.
“This partnership with Proparco is another milestone in a journey of people and nations. It’s about farmers, families, communities, and nations gaining the knowledge and support to thrive in a changing world,” said Mr Mwangi.
