The government has officially rolled out the Electronic Warehouse Receipt System Central Registry (eWRS-CR), a digital platform designed to improve transparency, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand farmers’ access to structured markets and financing.
Kenya has taken a major step toward modernising its agricultural markets with the launch of the Electronic Warehouse Receipt System Central Registry (eWRS-CR), a government-owned digital platform aimed at improving trade efficiency, market access, and financing for farmers and agribusinesses.
The platform, officially launched by the Warehouse Receipt System Council (WRSC) in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA) and with support from the British High Commission (BHC) in Nairobi, centralizes and automates warehouse receipt issuance under Kenya’s Warehouse Receipt System. It enhances transparency, traceability, and trust across the agricultural value chain, enabling participation by farmers, warehouse operators, financial institutions, traders, and regulators.
Supported by the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry through the State Department for Trade, the launch marks Kenya’s transition from pilot phases to nationwide adoption of a structured, digitized warehouse receipt system.
Improving Farmer Access to Finance
Speaking during the launch, Regina Ombam, Principal Secretary for Trade, said the platform is a confidence-building intervention designed to strengthen participation and trust in agricultural markets.
“The e-WRS Central Registry is not merely a technology platform; it is a confidence-building intervention designed to catalyse participation across the agricultural value chain. By enhancing transparency, strengthening trust, and enabling access to finance, this system empowers farmers, attracts private sector investment, and contributes to Kenya’s broader economic transformation,” Ombam said.
Agriculture remains central to Kenya’s economy, with smallholder farmers producing over 75% of national output. Yet, formal credit penetration remains limited, with less than 5% of bank lending directed to the sector. Post-harvest losses for some commodities are estimated at 30–40%, limiting farmer incomes and national food security.
The eWRS-Central Registry allows farmers to store commodities in certified warehouses and receive electronic warehouse receipts as proof of ownership. These receipts can then be used as collateral to access financing, enabling farmers to meet short-term financial needs without resorting to distress sales. The system also improves structured trade, enhances price discovery, and strengthens overall market efficiency.
Strengthening Agricultural Markets and Trade
Patrick Mbogo, Chairman of the WRSC, highlighted the strategic significance of the registry in advancing agricultural and economic transformation.
“The launch of the Electronic Warehouse Receipt System Central Registry marks a defining moment in Kenya’s journey toward a modern, transparent, and efficient agricultural marketing system. This platform strengthens trust among market participants, enhances commodity security, and unlocks access to financing for farmers and agribusinesses. It lays a firm foundation for structured agricultural trade and positions Kenya as a regional leader in agricultural market innovation,” Mbogo said.
WRSC Acting CEO and Registrar Lucy Komen noted the growing private sector uptake of warehouse operations, emphasizing that structured market systems allow farmers to focus on production while ensuring their commodities are safely stored, financed, and traded within a secure marketplace.
“We encourage both public and private sector players to adopt this solution. This will strengthen Kenya’s agricultural value chains,” Komen said.
Regional Trade and UK Partnership
TradeMark Africa’s Kenya Country Director, Lillian Mwai-Ndegwa, highlighted the platform’s role in supporting regional trade.
“By improving traceability and enabling access to finance, this platform empowers farmers and agribusinesses to compete more effectively in domestic and regional trade. Seamless borders begin at source, and systems like the Electronic Warehouse Receipt platform ensure commodities are traceable, trusted, and trade-ready from the moment they enter the value chain,” she said.
Diana Dalton, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director at the British High Commission in Kenya, reaffirmed the UK’s support for agricultural modernization and financial inclusion.
“Kenya and the UK are injecting innovation into agriculture. Not only does this system put more money into farmers’ pockets, but it also means produce like maize can be used to take out a short-term loan to pay school fees, without a farmer selling their produce at a cheaper price,” Dalton said.
Early Adoption and Operational Readiness
The eWRS-Central Registry has already registered 114 warehouse receipts representing nearly 600,000 kilograms of commodities, with 44% of these receipts utilised to access financing. The official launch formalizes national adoption and confirms the system as an operational government platform, signalling Kenya’s commitment to building transparent, efficient, and inclusive agricultural markets.
By enabling traceable, secure, and financed commodity storage, the eWRS-CR strengthens value chains, reduces post-harvest losses, and facilitates structured trade and financing, positioning Kenya as a regional leader in agricultural market innovation.
