A Kenyan agricultural firm that has helped thousands of small-scale farmers increase their crop yields has been sold to a private Dutch investment group.
Truvalu, a global impact investment firm, confirmed it had finalised its strategic exit from GrowPact Kitale on 21 January 2026.
The company, which produces high-quality seedlings, was acquired by a Dutch family office that has been involved with the project since it began. However, more details about the aquisition have not been publicized yet.
From local crisis to regional success
GrowPact was founded in 2016 by Maicy and Joshua Mugendi.
It is reported that the enterpreneurs initially lost their savings after a delivery contract was cancelled, but they used the setback to identify a gap in the Kenyan market: the lack of reliable, professional-grade seedlings for local farmers.
By moving away from traditional seed-sowing methods and using professional transplanting techniques instead, the venture has significantly improved crop resilience in the region.
Since its launch, the business has expanded from a modest 1,500 square metres to an 8,000-square-metre production site.
Record yields
The scale of the operation reached a new peak last year. In 2024, GrowPact Kitale produced 35 million vegetable seedlings, including tomatoes and onions and 500,000 fruit seedlings.
This surge in production has had a direct impact on the local economy. The number of farmers benefiting from the scheme jumped from 5,500 to more than 12,700 in just two years.
The firm has also introduced a tissue culture laboratory to ensure that plants like bananas and sweet potatoes are free from viruses.
‘Phenomenal transformation’
Joshua Mugendi Njiru, the director of GrowPact Kitale, praised the outgoing investors for their role in the company’s expansion.
“The collaboration with Truvalu has grown to a level where they offer support in finance and strategic advice, which are of crucial importance,” he said. “The effect is phenomenal considering the transformation of our business model.”
Truvalu’s exit is being seen as a rare success story for early-stage agribusiness in Africa, proving that social impact projects can also be commercially viable. While the ownership has changed, the new Dutch owners intend to expand the model to other emerging economies under a new initiative called GrowPact Global.