Dairy farmers to benefit from Ksh.500M World Bank-backed credit facility

Thousands of dairy farmers under Githunguri Dairy and Community (GDC) Sacco are set to receive a major boost following a Ksh.500 million funding secured from the World Bank.

The funds will provide farmers with easy access to affordable mobile-based loans to help them buy quality dairy equipment, upgrade their cowsheds, purchase animal feed, and expand milk production.

GDC Chief Executive Officer Charles Kioko said the initiative will make financing faster and more convenient for ordinary farmers, improving both productivity and income.

“This funding is a game changer for our members. The digital loans will make credit accessible and affordable, helping farmers invest in better dairy practices and increase milk yields,” Kioko said.

The financing was made possible through a partnership between GDC and global consultancy firm AVLC, which helped the Sacco secure the World Bank’s Safer Fund — an initiative aimed at strengthening small businesses and rural enterprises post-pandemic.

AVLC Chief Executive Andrew Kanyutu said the firm worked closely with GDC to connect them to global financiers and structure a winning proposal.

“We guided GDC every step of the way to ensure their proposal met the standards required by international lenders. This partnership shows how local cooperatives can tap into global funding to support farmers,” Kanyutu said.

The Ksh.500 million facility will be rolled out digitally and monitored annually to track its impact on the Sacco’s more than 38,000 members.