Agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy—contributing approximately 35% to the GDP and indirectly employing over 60% of the population. Recognizing this, NCBA Bank has placed agriculture at the heart of its financial inclusion and development agenda, providing tailored solutions for players across the entire agricultural value chain.
1. Comprehensive Agribusiness Financing
According to William Muguima, Head of Agriculture in Corporate Banking at NCBA, the bank provides holistic financial solutions across all stages of the agricultural value chain:
- Production: Financing for inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, irrigation systems, and machinery.
- Processing: Loans for agro-processors including grain millers, fruit canners, packers, and cold chain logistics providers.
- Distribution: Asset finance and distributor finance solutions for transporters, storage facility operators, and commodity marketers.
2. Specialized Support for Sub-Sectors
NCBA has segmented its agribusiness offerings into seven key subsectors:
- Dairy
- Horticulture
- Tea
- Coffee
- Sugar
- Industrial Crops
- Agroprocessors
Each sub-sector benefits from customized financing packages, addressing its unique operational and capital needs. For example, dairy farmers can access loans for insemination services, agrovets, cooling tanks, and transportation under a one-stop-shop structure.
3. Practical Support for Farmers
Farmers like Krisple Mwiti, a spice farmer, have benefited from:
- Asset financing (e.g., vans for transporting produce)
- Project loans (e.g., for setting up cold rooms)
- Market linkage and advisory services
His experience underlines NCBA Bank’s impact on expanding farm capacity, creating employment (up to 50 workers seasonally), and boosting profitability.
4. Flexible and Inclusive Loan Criteria
NCBA uses the 5 Cs of Credit in assessing applications:
- Character: Borrowing history and repayment behavior
- Capacity: Cash flow analysis to determine repayment ability
- Capital: Strength of the business’s balance sheet
- Collateral: Security or guarantor if needed
- Conditions: Market and loan-specific terms
Understanding the unique nature of smallholder agribusinesses, NCBA also supports aggregators and outgrowers, extending loans to groups managed by more structured anchor clients.
5. Financial Literacy & Farmer Training
NCBA provides financial literacy training to empower farmers in:
- Cash flow and risk management
- Budgeting and return on investment
- Business planning and sustainability
This training ensures farmers can optimize the funding they receive and reduce business risks.
6. Risk Management Through Insurance
NCBA partners with insurance providers to offer credit insurance to mitigate risks such as:
- Crop failure due to drought, pests, or suboptimal rainfall
- Market volatility
- Storage losses
Farmers are encouraged to diversify crops and regions of operation and plant hardy or drought-resistant varieties to strengthen loan repayment ability.
7. Land & Infrastructure Financing
For farmers looking to expand, NCBA’s Shamba Loans support land acquisition. The bank also finances:
- Greenhouses
- Boreholes and irrigation systems
- Cold rooms and packhouses
8. Fast & Scalable Loan Processing
- Asset finance approvals in as little as 48 hours
- Other loans processed within 14 days, depending on complexity
NCBA states there is no loan limit, subject to regulatory and balance sheet capacity.
9. Post-Funding Support & Relationship Management
NCBA Bank ensures follow-up and support through:
- Farm visits
- WhatsApp groups
- Dedicated relationship managers
- Consultants and agribusiness forums
This personalized follow-up helps farmers scale sustainably and access new funding as they grow.
10. Digital & Technological Integration
NCBA Bank supports tech-driven agriculture, promoting tools like:
- Drones for crop monitoring
- Digital platforms for market access and export readiness
- Online farmer communities for peer learning and advisory
11. Forums, Training, and Market Access
Through industry forums, NCBA connects:
- Farmers
- Buyers
- Processors
- Exporters
These platforms empower farmers with access to market information, export guidance, and strategic advice.
Final Word
Whether you’re a smallholder farmer or a large-scale agribusiness, NCBA is ready to walk with you—providing more than just loans. It offers partnership, knowledge, tools, and trust. As Kenya transforms its agricultural landscape, NCBA stands out as a catalyst for sustainable growth and prosperity across the sector.
Visit NCBA’s official website or walk into any branch to learn how to grow your agribusiness today.
Get the whole story Family Media’s Family Matters|Financial Clinic with William Muguima(Sector Head Agriculture, NCBA Corporate Banking),together with Sally Limo (Host) & Krisple Mwiti (Farmer, Director, Greenflow Consultancy).