The Wezesha III Agri-Eco Hub Project builds on the success of earlier Wezesha Agri initiatives, such as the program in Kajiado County, which empowered over 1,000 youth and women to establish thriving agribusinesses. Successful implementation of this pilot phase in Busia will see the program scaled to 18 other counties across the country. Photo/ Courtesy
The Safaricom Foundation has unveiled the Wezesha Agri-Eco Hub Project, an initiative designed to empower over 5,000 youth in Busia County, located in the western part of Kenya, through agriculture, enterprise development, and innovation.
With an investment of $1 million, the two-year pilot program is being rolled out in collaboration with Ustadi Foundation, Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), Alupe University, and the County Government of Busia, among other partners.
The program focuses on equipping youth, women, and persons with disabilities with skills in agribusiness, digital literacy, and value chain management. It emphasizes climate-smart farming practices, ensuring sustainable and resilient agricultural production across youth-led farms in the region.
“Our current strategy places a strong emphasis on economic empowerment as a key pillar of community transformation,” said Joseph Ogutu, Chairman of Safaricom Foundation in a release.“This project, phase three of the Wezesha Agri Program, is designed to inspire a new generation of agripreneurs and redefine agriculture as a viable and attractive pathway for youth to achieve self-reliance.”
The program hopes to link over 4,000 youth to digital finance platforms, giving them access to loans, savings, and insurance products to support their agribusiness ventures. It also anticipates to generate employment opportunities by connecting youth-led agribusinesses to local and international markets through e-commerce.
A Demo Farm will be established in Alupe, Busia County, where participants will gain hands-on training in agribusiness and ecopreneurship. The foundation said it will introduce innovative farming techniques, green technologies like solar-powered irrigation and biogas systems, and digital tools to access financial services and markets. By combining practical experience with modern technology, it aims to equip youth with the skills to succeed in a tech-driven agricultural sector.
The initiative is supported by strong partnerships: Ustadi Foundation has contributed $140,000 and professional expertise, while the Lake Basin Development Authority is providing a 12-acre demonstration farm and technical support in collaboration with Alupe University. The County Government of Busia has also pledged its backing to ensure the program’s success.
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