Not Just Any Finance, But One That Matches the Rhythm of Agriculture

I’ve always believed agriculture could transform economies, create jobs, and build resilient communities – not just in Africa, but globally. But here’s the catch: unless we fix how we finance it, we’ll keep going in circles.

I’ve seen this up close. I’ve worked with agri-entrepreneurs who are doing it right – feeding communities, respecting the environment, and trying to grow real livelihoods. But the biggest thing holding them back? Access to the right kind of finance.

The food systems e-course helped me make sense of why this matters. We talk about food security, market access, and climate resilience – but none of these are possible without finance that fits the realities of agri-businesses. Financing shouldn’t just be about handing out loans. It’s about understanding risks, timelines, and incentives – and designing financial tools that support sustainable growth.

In 2022, I worked with Kuza Greens, a women-led agribusiness in Kenya that grows and processes indigenous vegetables. They had a solid business model, steady demand, and a reliable market. But they were labelled “too risky” by banks due to seasonal supply and lack of fixed collateral. Microfinance loans were available – but with interest rates above 30%.

I helped the founder refine her business plan, prepare cash flow projections, and apply for funding. Eventually, we secured a $6,000 grant from a regional NGO. It wasn’t huge, but it enabled key upgrades – solar dryers and packaging – that extended shelf life and opened new markets. The grant made a difference, but the process took nearly five months. What the business really needed was patient capital: flexible, low-cost funding that matches the rhythms of agriculture.

That experience reinforced what I’ve long observed: for agri-entrepreneurs, the problem isn’t just a lack of funding – it’s the absence of finance that fits the rhythm and risks of agriculture. Agri-entrepreneurs often operate in informal markets, rely on seasonal cycles, and face unpredictable weather – yet most financial products don’t reflect any of that. On the other side, many entrepreneurs struggle to speak the language of banks. That’s why we need hybrid financial models that blend grants, concessional loans, and technical support - alongside a shift in how banks assess agribusinesses. And we need to support entrepreneurs to understand finance – cash flow, margins, and growth – in practical, usable ways.

The e-course reframed this for me: finance isn’t a side issue in food systems – it’s a leverage point. It’s an essential resource that can help unlock progress on climate adaptation, nutrition, gender equity, and rural livelihoods. But there are always trade-offs, and some agribusiness goals require patient capital - funding that accepts higher risks or slower returns. For that, we need shared responsibility, where the government, donors, financial institutions, and agri-SMEs work together and share those risks.

After all, transforming food systems must mean more than concepts – it requires money that works for real people. And the people I work with – farmers, processors, and agri-SMEs – don’t need handouts. They need fair, flexible opportunities to grow.