Co-operative Bank of Kenya has partnered with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to provide Ksh.1.2 billion in mobile-enabled credit solutions to over 260,000 smallholder tea farmers. The initiative, announced during the launch of the inaugural KTDA Magazine and Farmer First Mantra Prospectus in Nairobi, is aimed at increasing financial access for farmers and strengthening the backbone of Kenya’s tea industry.
As platinum sponsor of the event, Co-op Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the agricultural sector. Speaking at the launch, Co-op Bank Group CEO Dr. Gideon Muriuki emphasized the bank’s long-standing role in empowering farmers through tailored financial services. “Through comprehensive financial solutions, we empower farmers who form the backbone of Kenya’s tea industry,” he said.
The innovative partnership will see Co-op Bank work closely with Greenland Fedha, a microfinance institution under KTDA, to offer instant mobile loans ranging from Ksh.100 to Ksh.20,000. This mobile-driven credit model is designed to eliminate the bureaucratic delays typically associated with loan disbursement and enable farmers to invest quickly in inputs and farm improvements.
Vincent Kihara, Head of Corporate Banking at Co-op Bank, highlighted the bank’s broader efforts to support farmers with sustainable, practical solutions. “From mobile credit to green energy, we’re enabling farmers to grow stronger and more sustainably,” he noted.
Beyond mobile loans, Co-op Bank plays a vital financial role in the tea industry, serving all nine KTDA subsidiaries with services such as payment processing, working capital provision, and advisory support across the entire tea value chain.
This partnership comes at a time when KTDA oversees more than 55 percent of Kenya’s tea production, which is a key contributor to the national economy. By enhancing financial access and investing in digital solutions, the collaboration between Co-op Bank and KTDA aims to uplift thousands of farming families and secure the future of one of Kenya’s most important export sectors.
