Proparco has signed a deal with Equity Group that will see it get EUR1 million (about Sh141.26 million) to enable smallholder farmers in Kenya to adopt sustainable practices.

This March 18, 2025 deal will enable Equity, via Equity Group Foundation, to offer technical support to implement its high-impact project, Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS).

The Nairobi deal was witnessed by French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet, Proparco Regional Director, East Africa Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat and Equity Group CEO James Mwangi.

Agriculture accounts for about 30 per cent of the Kenyan GDP and 45 per cent of export earnings making the sector a key driver of the country’s economic development.

As the backbone of rural livelihoods, agriculture sustains 75 per cent of rural communities and employs over 70 per cent of the rural workforce, 60 per cent being women and youth.

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Equity Group Foundation is a Kenya-based not-for-profit foundation founded in 2008 as the social arm of Equity Group Holdings and aims to transform lives and livelihoods of Africans.

Its high-impact development programs, such as ‘Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems’ (CRAFS) project, enables Kenyan smallholder farmers to adopt Climate-Smart Agriculture.

According to the foundation, this approach enhances productivity, boosts resilience to climate shocks, and brigs down agricultural emissions through sustainable practices.

CRAFS project is led by the foundation in partnership with Equity Group and will provide training, financial access, and knowledge exchange to support small-scale producers.

The foundation says a dedicated field team will ensure on-ground implementation, while suppliers and value chain actors play a key role in enabling farmers and micro-businesses.

The project targeting 15,000 farmers engaged in livestock or crop value chains yearly will provide training, sensitization, 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 support SMEs and entrepreneurship,” said Suquet.

He noted that the project will grow local businesses and grassroot initiatives to emerge in sectors including agriculture, health, higher education, fintech and renewable energy.

“Through its Foundation, Equity participates in concrete change by supporting Kenyan actors in agriculture, from small farmers to innovators,” stated Guyonnet-Dupérat.

On his part, Dr Mwangi termed the partnership between Equity Group and Proparco as another milestone that will transform lives of farmers, families, communities and nations.

“By embracing Climate-Smart Agriculture, we will empower farmers to increase their productivity, build resilience against climate shocks, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” concluded Dr Mwangi.

He added: “Smallholder farmers need support to mitigate agricultural risks, and we are committed to helping them navigate these challenges.”