Agribusiness in Kenya continues to be a vital economic driver, creating employment and enhancing food security. However, access to capital remains a major challenge for many aspiring farmers and agripreneurs. Fortunately, several banks and microfinance institutions now offer tailored financial solutions to support agribusiness ventures.
Whether you’re planning to grow crops, rear livestock, or invest in farm equipment, the following institutions provide some of the best agribusiness loan options in Kenya.
1. KCB Bank Kenya
KCB Bank supports both smallholder and large-scale farmers with agricultural loans. Their agribusiness solutions include:
- Contracted crop loans
- Dairy and livestock loans
- Horticulture loans
- Structured finance for sugarcane and tea farmers
- Farm development financing
Ideal for farmers in partnership with processors or agribusiness firms.
2. Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC)
AFC is a government-owned development finance institution that provides specialized credit facilities to the agriculture sector. It offers a wide range of agribusiness loans covering:
- Machinery acquisition
- Livestock development
- Horticulture and floriculture
- Water and irrigation projects
- Seasonal crop financing
Contact: 0788 524 998 / 0704 153 773
3. Juhudi Kilimo
Juhudi Kilimo is a leading microfinance institution focused on rural and agricultural finance. It provides tailored loans such as:
- Crop farming loans
- Animal farming loans
- Farm equipment financing
- Working capital loans
- Clean energy and consumer loans
Contact: 0709 692 000
4. National Bank of Kenya – Jenga Kilimo
Through its Jenga Kilimo program, National Bank provides Shariah-compliant agribusiness loans to help farmers scale production.
Key Features:
- Loan amounts of up to Ksh 5 million
- Flexible repayment period of up to 48 months
- Three-month grace period
Great for Muslim farmers seeking ethical financing.
5. Bank of Africa – Agribusiness Loans
Bank of Africa offers flexible agribusiness financing for both short- and medium-term agricultural needs.
Features:
- Funding for seeds, fertilisers, chemicals, livestock, and land leasing
- Acceptable security: title deeds, logbooks, shares, or cash collateral
- Repayment options: Equal Monthly Instalments (EMI), bullet payment, or based on seasonal cash flow
- Loan term: Up to 3 years for asset financing and 1 year for seasonal inputs
6. ECLOF Kenya
ECLOF Kenya, a social microfinance institution, provides agribusiness loans that enable smallholder farmers to acquire improved livestock and venture into high-value horticulture.
Benefits:
- Flexible loan sizes based on your enterprise
- Repayment options suited to crop cycles
- Crop and livestock insurance bundled with loans
- Advisory and training support on production and marketing
Ideal for farmers looking for a holistic agribusiness package.
7. BIMAS Kenya
BIMAS Kenya focuses on empowering rural farmers with access to input financing. Their loan products support purchase of:
- Certified seeds
- Fertilisers
- Pesticides
- Farm operations
Loan Options:
- Dairy/Mifugo Loan
- Chipukizi Loan (for youth)
- Dhabiti Loan (for long-term investment)
8. Equity Bank – Kilimo Biashara Loan
Equity Bank’s Kilimo Biashara Loan is tailored to small-scale commercial farmers.
Key Features:
- Loan amounts between Ksh 5,000 and Ksh 100,000
- Repayment aligned with crop seasons (up to 1 year)
- Flexible collateral including household assets, vehicle logbooks, or land titles
Note: This loan does not cover land leasing.
9. Family Bank – Kilimo Biashara Loan
Family Bank’s Kilimo Biashara loan supports farmers with working capital to purchase inputs like:
- Certified seeds
- Fertilisers
- Agrochemicals
Features:
- Accessible to both account and non-account holders
- Loan repayment of up to 36 months
- Interest rate: 12% per annum
Benefits:
- Fast loan processing
- Flexible security options
- Access to training by the Ministry of Agriculture
Final Thoughts
With agriculture gaining momentum as a viable commercial enterprise, access to agribusiness loans has become more crucial than ever. Whether you’re just starting out or expanding an existing farm, the institutions above offer tailored financial solutions to help you grow your agribusiness sustainably.
READ MORE: List of Juhudi Kilimo Branches in Kenya
