The Co-operative Bank of Kenya has partnered with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to unlock new financial opportunities for over 260,000 smallholder tea farmers.
The collaboration unveiled at the inaugural launch of the KTDA Magazine and the Farmer First Mantra Prospectus aims at strengthening Kenya’s tea industry.
The lender reaffirmed its commitment to the agricultural sector and introduced its latest effort: a mobile-enabled credit program offering up to Sh1.2 billion in accessible short-term loans to tea farmers.
“We have a long history of supporting the co-operative sector, particularly in the tea value chain,” said Dr. Gideon Muriuki, Co-operative Bank Group MD.
“Our goal is to empower the more than 260,000 smallholder farmers who drive Kenya’s tea economy.”
Through a partnership with Greenland Fedha, farmers can now access instant loans of Sh100 to Sh20,000 directly via their mobile phones, a factor Co-op Bank says seeks to eliminate the need for paperwork.
The bank says its role as the financial partner for all nine KTDA subsidiaries and most of Kenya’s tea factories ensures smooth processing of payments, capital access, and strategic advice, all vital to a sector responsible for more than half of Kenya’s tea production.
According to the partners, the move is part of its renewed push to empower rural communities, drive innovation, and secure the future of Kenya’s tea industry.
