The Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) is set to receive US $14m in funding from the European Union and its partners for the AgriBiz Program. The funding will see at least 2,400 youth and women-led agribusinesses will benefit.
According to local media reports, beneficiaries of the program will receive training, business advisories, mentorship and financing in the form of grants, loans or both to support and grow their business ideas. The EU Ambassador Simon Mordue urged EU partners to support Kenyan farmers and entrepreneurs through digital technologies.
The funding is from the EU, Denmark (Danida) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The program is set to benefit the country’s economy and rural livelihoods. According to the Ambassador, the enterprises will create 17,000 job opportunities along agricultural value chains and will increase smallholder production and household incomes thus ensuring the country’s food security.
The program will be rolled out in eight counties of Kilifi, Machakos, Kiambu, Meru, Isiolo, Kisii, Bungoma and Uasin Gishu. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 has slowed down the program. The EU, Belgium, Sweden, France and the Netherlands gave Kenya US $22.5m to boost food security last month.
