Visa has partnered with Nigerian agritech startup ThriveAgric to support its expansion into Kenya, establishing local hubs and providing crucial financial and market access to thousands of farmers. This collaboration aims to address financial challenges and improve agricultural productivity in five Kenyan counties: Busia, Homabay, Migori, Nandi, and Narok.

Key Highlights:

• Strategic Expansion: ThriveAgric's local hubs in Busia and Homabay will serve as training centers and input development hubs, helping farmers consolidate and market their produce effectively.
• Economic Impact: Agriculture employs over 40% of Kenya's population and contributes 21.3% to its GDP, underscoring its importance despite challenges in financial access and high interest rates.
• Empowering Farmers: The partnership with Visa aims to build a strong network benefiting farmers by expanding the digital payments ecosystem, enhancing financial inclusion, and supporting smallholder farmers.
• Innovative Solutions: ThriveAgric focuses on data-driven farming techniques and premium global markets access, recently announcing a $56 million carbon revenue initiative for 30,000 Nigerian farmers.

Impact on Kenyan Agriculture:

• Agriculture is critical to Kenya's economy, contributing 65% of export revenue.
• ThriveAgric’s efforts will amplify the positive impact of agritech, empowering farmers with access to capital and innovative farming solutions.

Quotes:

• Ayo Arikawe, ThriveAgric Co-founder: "This collaboration signifies a significant milestone in ThriveAgric’s expansion into Kenya."
• Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Visa's Country Manager for Kenya: "Smallholder farmers are critical to Kenya's economy and the company’s vision of expanding the digital payments ecosystem."

This partnership between ThriveAgric and Visa is set to drive sustainable development, improve productivity, and enhance the livelihoods of farmers across Kenya. 🌾💳

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