Rita Kimani
Studies:
University of NairobiI am passionate about
Empowering smallholder farmers in Africa, particularly the youth, to grow their farming ventures. I grew up in a rural farming community in Kenya and despite the challenges smallholder farmers face, sustainable agriculture can be a vehicle for inclusive economic growth. Agriculture is one of the most effective tools to end hunger, end poverty and lead to both social and economic development in most of Africa where over two thirds of the population depends on Agriculture for a living.
Actions
I co-founded and run FarmDrive, an agricultural data analytics company that has developed an alternative credit scoring algorithm that allows financial institutions to score and lend to underserved smallholder farmers. The alternative credit scoring model is driving financial services to unbanked and underserved smallholder farmers, while helping financial institutions cost effectively increase their agricultural loan portfolios. FarmDrive closes the data gap that keeps smallholder farmers from the financial services that would allow them to grow their agri-businesses and increase their incomes.
I have also been part of initiatives and forums that bring the youth perspective in building and executing programs that support youths to be the force behind ending poverty, hunger, inequalities and ensuring decent jobs for all.