The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, will host the Financing Agri-Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2025 Summit to be held from 22nd to 25th May 2025 in Nairobi.
The event, intended to drive sustainable investment in Agri-food Systems, will bring together policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to explore innovative financing models that support food security, economic growth, and climate resilience across the continent.
Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Paul Ronoh, speaking at a Nairobi hotel, emphasised the crucial role of agriculture in Kenya’s economy, contributing 20 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing over 40 per cent of its population.
He underscored the urgent need for financing in the sector to support farmers with farming inputs, land, and improving marketing costs.
According to the PS, the FINAS 2025 Summit aims to explore innovative financial solutions to drive the growth and sustainability of agri-food systems in Kenya and across Africa.
Further, Dr. Ronoh disclosed that the government has increased the agricultural budget to sh77.7 billion for the 2025/26 fiscal year, reinforcing its commitment to food security, job creation, and market access.
The PS also noted that the initial FINAS dialogue, which was held on 27th March 2024, led to the development of a sustainable financing framework, now being implemented with support from GIZ and other partners.
He at the same time called out partnerships from other key stakeholders to spearhead the initiative and bridge financial gaps in the agricultural sector.
“As global funding shifts, Kenya is adopting blended financing, green bonds, and private-sector investments to ensure long-term resilience in the agricultural sector,” stated Dr. Rono.
He highlighted that the focus of this initiative remains on implementing actionable strategies that drive food security, economic growth, and climate resilience.
“This summit is not just about conversations—it is a call to action for all stakeholders to invest in the future of agriculture. The success of these efforts will be measured by the impact on farmers, businesses, and the broader economy, ensuring a more resilient and self-sufficient agri-food sector in Kenya and beyond,” asserted the PS.
The Summit Director, Charity Mutegi, gave an overview of the FINAS Summit 2025, saying that the initiative marks a significant step in assessing progress and reinforcing efforts toward a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.
She outlined that the FINAS Summit event structure comprises pre-conference dialogues, a media launch, the main summit and post-conference dialogues, whereas the main summit will feature keynote speeches, breakout sessions, a hackathon, and exhibitions aimed at showcasing innovative solutions in agribusiness financing.
“Comparing the 2024 FINAS Summit and the anticipated 2025 Summit, the government, financial institutions, and private sector players remain key participants in shaping policies and investment opportunities,” maintained the Director, adding that both years emphasise technology-driven solutions, policy reforms, and multi-sectoral collaboration to improve access to funding for farmers.
Mutegi affirmed that the commitment to reviewing past strategies and refining financial models continues in 2025, ensuring long-term impact.
She, however, revealed that the 2025 summit builds on 2024’s findings, introducing new action plans and expanded partnerships for greater agricultural transformation.
In his remarks, Freddy Bob-Jones, the Managing Director at ACELI Africa, emphasised that their work with banks and impact investors is to support underserved businesses.
He announced that, since 2020, ACELI has helped unlock US $293 million in financing, benefiting over 3,000 Agri-SMEs.
“Our efforts drive economic empowerment, food security and climate resilience. We look forward to collaborating with partners to expand financial access in East Africa,” expressed Bob-Jones, stressing that ACELI Africa is committed to improving access to finance for Agri-SMEs by reducing lending risks and mobilising private capital.
By Gabriel Mwangi and Jesee Otieno
