Kenya Meat Commission partners with Avenews to boost livestock financing in Kenya

The Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) and the Kenya Livestock Marketing Council (KLMC) have partnered with agri-fintech firm Avenews to launch a trade-driven financing initiative aimed at strengthening Kenya’s livestock value chain.

The partnership seeks to expand access to flexible, transaction-based credit for producers, traders, and aggregators by linking financing directly to the flow of livestock trade.

The agreement, formalised at a signing ceremony attended by KMC Managing Commissioner Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jattani Gula, KLMC Chief Executive Officer Abdikadir Mohamed, and Avenews Kenya Managing Director Nancy Kinyanjui, will support the deployment of Ksh.2.5 billion in financing for agricultural SMEs in 2025.

Speaking during the event, Ms. Kinyanjui said the initiative aims to bridge long-standing financing gaps in the livestock sector, where many pastoralist and trading communities rely on informal systems due to limited access to traditional credit.

“Access to finance has been a major challenge for livestock producers and traders who operate on fast, trust-based transactions rather than formal collateral,” she said. “Our model enables access to working capital at the point of sale, aligning finance with actual trade activity.”

KMC noted that while livestock trade remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s rural economy, conventional lending models have struggled to match the sector’s pace and informality. The new approach, officials said, will provide faster, simpler access to capital and help stabilize the supply chain.

According to Avenews, the model converts verified transactions into immediate financing, allowing traders and producers to expand operations and improve reliability in livestock markets.

“This collaboration sets the stage for a more inclusive and efficient livestock economy,” Ms. Kinyanjui added. “By linking finance to real trade data, we can enhance productivity, traceability, and resilience across the value chain.”

The partnership is expected to boost trade liquidity, support market growth, and strengthen food systems within Kenya’s livestock sector.