Safaricom Foundation has unveiled the Wezesha Agri-Eco Hub Project, an ambitious initiative aimed at empowering over 5,000 youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Busia County. With a KES 120 million investment, the two-year pilot program seeks to redefine agriculture as a pathway to self-reliance by blending agribusiness, technology, and environmental sustainability.
The program represents Phase 3 of Safaricom Foundation’s broader Wezesha Agri Program and aims to inspire a new generation of agripreneurs by focusing on innovative farming practices, enterprise development, and ecopreneurship.
The Wezesha Agri-Eco Hub is being implemented in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ustadi Foundation, Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), Alupe University, and the County Government of Busia. These partnerships will ensure the successful delivery of the program’s objectives, leveraging expertise, resources, and infrastructure.
Key Investments and Contributions:
- Safaricom Foundation: KES 120 million for program implementation.
- Ustadi Foundation: KES 18 million and professional support.
- Lake Basin Development Authority: Provision of a 12-acre demonstration farm and technical expertise.
- Alupe University: Collaboration on training and technology transfer.
- County Government of Busia: Logistical and administrative support.
The project will train over 5,000 individuals in Busia County on:
- Agribusiness Skills: Practical knowledge in modern farming, value chain management, and marketing.
- Digital Literacy: Enabling participants to use technology to access markets and financial services.
- Climate-Smart Farming Practices: Promoting environmentally sustainable and resilient agricultural methods.
Participants will learn innovative techniques such as solar-powered irrigation, biogas systems, and the use of digital tools to enhance productivity.
At the heart of the initiative is the establishment of a Centre of Excellence Demo Farm in Alupe, Busia County. This facility will serve as a practical training ground for participants, offering:
- Hands-on Experience: Opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting.
- Green Technologies: Training on solar irrigation, biogas systems, and other eco-friendly farming solutions.
- Digital Tools: Familiarization with platforms that provide access to financial services and e-commerce markets.
To ensure participants can sustain their agribusiness ventures, the program will connect over 4,000 youth to digital finance platforms, allowing them to:
- Access loans, savings, and insurance products.
- Secure funding for expanding their enterprises.
Additionally, the initiative will link youth-led agribusinesses to local and international markets through e-commerce platforms, creating employment opportunities and increasing market reach.
The Wezesha Agri-Eco Hub builds on the success of previous Wezesha Agri initiatives, such as the program in Kajiado County, which enabled over 1,000 youth and women to establish profitable agribusinesses. The Busia pilot phase is expected to replicate and expand on this success, with plans to scale the initiative to 18 additional counties across Kenya.
The program aligns with the Safaricom Foundation’s strategy of making economic empowerment a central pillar of community transformation. Speaking at the launch, Joseph Ogutu, Chairman of Safaricom Foundation, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative.
“Our current strategy places a strong emphasis on economic empowerment as a key pillar of community transformation. This project is designed to inspire a new generation of agripreneurs and redefine agriculture as a viable and attractive pathway for youth to achieve self-reliance,” said Ogutu.
By equipping youth with skills in agribusiness and ecopreneurship, the Wezesha Agri-Eco Hub will:
- Boost household incomes.
- Enhance food security.
- Create sustainable employment opportunities.
- Promote environmental conservation through climate-smart farming practices.
The project also seeks to empower women and PWDs, ensuring inclusivity and equitable access to economic opportunities.
Upon successful implementation in Busia, the Wezesha Agri-Eco Hub will be rolled out to 18 other counties, reinforcing Safaricom Foundation’s commitment to fostering sustainable development across Kenya.
The Safaricom Foundation’s Wezesha III Agri-Eco Hub Project is more than an agricultural initiative—it’s a holistic blueprint for youth empowerment, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. Through strategic partnerships and a robust implementation framework, the project is poised to transform lives, not just in Busia County, but across the nation.
As Kenya continues to grapple with unemployment and climate change, initiatives like this are crucial in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future. The Wezesha Agri-Eco Hub exemplifies how technology, innovation, and collaboration can be harnessed to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
