Avenews and Mazao na Afya sign groundbreaking funding deal to uplift farmers in Mt Kenya Region

Speaking during the launch event at Agitech Centre,Nancy Kinyanjui, the Managing Director of Avenews, announced that the company will provide loans of up to KSh 1.5 million to agro-dealers and agri-entrepreneurs registered under Mazao na Afya. The financing will help stockists bulk-purchase certified farm inputs, ensuring that farmers get what they need when they need it most.

“Mazao na Afya stood out because of its vast network of agro-dealers and its track record with farmers, being in this field for over 27 years .Through this partnership, we are not just giving out loans. We are giving farmers a chance to thrive, increase yields, and transform their livelihoods”said the manager.

The rollout of the partnership will begin in key counties within the Mount Kenya region, including Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi ,Nyeri , Muranga, Meru among other counties in the region.These areas were selected due to their favorable weather conditions and vibrant farming communities. However, there are plans to scale the program to other regions based on the success of the pilot phase.

Peter Karanja Ndung’u, Director of Mazao Group and Agitech Seedlings, described the partnership as a timely solution to long-standing challenges facing agro-stockists. Many dealers, he said, have struggled to access capital, limiting their ability to meet demand during peak planting seasons.

“Our stockists have always wanted to serve farmers better, but cash flow has been a major barrier. Now, with support from Avenews, they can purchase inputs in bulk and ensure that no farmer is turned away,” said Karanja.

Avenews is known for its use of technology to offer seamless, ethical, and timely financial services. Betty Simiyu, the firm’s Strategic Partnerships and Marketing Manager, explained that the decision to team up with Mazao na Afya was data-driven.

“We were impressed by the quality of trade data and the customer loyalty that Mazao na Afya has built over the years. It gave us the confidence to make this bold investment.Our digital systems make loan processing easy and transparent, ensuring that funds get to where they are needed fast.”she noted.

Simiyu added that Avenews is committed to addressing the seasonal nature of agriculture by ensuring agro-SMEs have recurring access to credit when demand peaks.

The impact of the deal is already being felt by dealers like Steven Warui, an agro-dealer from Kirinyaga County, who praised the partnership as a long-overdue breakthrough.

“I have worked with Mazao na Afya for over 20 years and they have never disappointed me. Not once. With Avenews joining in, I can finally prepare for peak seasons without financial stress. This will change how we serve our farmers,” said Warui.

The launch event was attended by dozens of farmers, agro-dealers, financial experts, and agribusiness stakeholders, many of whom expressed optimism about the future of the region’s agriculture. There was a strong sense that this partnership could signal a new era of farming one driven by access to finance, quality inputs, and strong distribution systems.

With the cost of farming on the rise and many smallholders locked out of traditional financing systems, the Avenews–Mazao na Afya partnership comes as a ray of hope. It promises to strengthen supply chains, improve yields, and ultimately uplift livelihoods in the Mount Kenya region and beyond.