TechnoServe’s Post

Over 12,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have benefited from the Impact for Northern Kenya (INK) Fund, financed by USAID Kuza. This $43 million fund, launched in 2021, aims to foster economic growth and empower the underserved population in northern counties. It has also created over 25,000 direct jobs, significantly impacting the region’s economic landscape. USAID Resilience Coordinator Jennifer Maurer highlighted the fund’s success in empowering women entrepreneurs by providing essential financial resources and support. She emphasized that these numbers represent more than statistics; they symbolize resilience and hope for the people of Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, and the broader northern Kenya region. The INK Fund has specifically supported women-led businesses in sectors such as agriculture, livestock, and trade, which are crucial for sustainable development and job creation in the region. By focusing on enterprises that promote renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and waste management, the fund is also playing a vital role in mitigating climate change impacts and building a resilient community. The recent conference, themed "Unveiling Opportunities: Redefining Northern Kenya as an Investable Destination," brought together investors, local entrepreneurs, and government officials. It underscored the importance of integrating cutting-edge methods and gender perspectives into agricultural development, aiming to drive inclusive and sustainable investment in often-overlooked regions. #MSMEs #EconomicGrowth #SustainableDevelopment #USAIDKuza #ImpactInvesting #NorthernKenya #WomenEntrepreneurs #ClimateAction To read more: https://zurl.co/xGIS

I totally agree with you madam Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade.. #Africa is a continent endowed with vast agricultural resources and potential, and the youth population constitutes a significant percentage of its demographic. ■The combination of these two factors presents a great opportunity for youth entrepreneurs to #explore and #innovate in the #agribusiness #industry. #Agricultural #entrepreneurship is an important sector in #Africa that has the potential to #drive economic growth, increase food security, and reduce poverty. With a majority of the population being under the age of 30, #Africa has a large pool of energic and #innovative young people who can create #meaningful impact through #agripreneurship. ■#Measures that empower young #agripreneurs should be a key component of a #SustainableDevelopment centred investment promotion strategy. The very realization of future generations food security, the #sustainable #transformation of food systems and the combat against #unemployment and #distress #migration all depend upon the successful implementation of strategies that make the #agrifood sector more attractive for the youth. ■This requires #smart policy responses that will help young #investors overcome the numerous barriers they face access to finance and economic opportunities, land, information and technical services. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Programme Alimentaire Mondial Fonds de Solidarité Africain - FSA African Union Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement World Economic Forum United Nations Economic Commission for Africa AFD - Agence Française de Développement.

During the session on Inclusive Business Practices and Partnerships at the 2024 Inclusive Market Systems Symposium, hosted by the BDCG NETWORK, Patrick Boro, Kenya Team Leader of 2SCALE, emphasized the role of: 🔹 Village Savings and Loan Associations in empowering smallholder farmers and grassroots entrepreneurs. 🔹 Inclusive approaches to integrate marginalized groups—such as refugees and persons with disabilities—into agribusiness ecosystems. Patrick stated that, “Shared ownership, risk-sharing, and collaboration are key to creating thriving, equitable value chains.” Learn more about how IFDC is driving inclusive agribusiness growth across Africa: https://buff.ly/4gGQ0pZ #ClimateResilience #FoodSystems #SustainableFarming #InclusiveEconomies #BDCGSymposium2024

💜 🇰🇪 Agri-jobs for the Youth in Kenya: A Joint Effort   In 2022, we embarked on an incredible adventure in Kenya. Alongside our sister company, Green Rhino - Kenya, and under the programme  Agri-Jobs for Youth by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, we collaborated with the youth and women in Kisumu, Vihiga, and Siaya counties.    🚀 Our ultimate goal was to engage young people and women in exploring agricultural opportunities in Western Kenya while addressing the challenges faced by the region's population. 💦 These challenges include financial constraints, water scarcity, poverty and inequality, high youth unemployment, the impacts of climate change, economic downturns, drought, and conflicts.     👨🌾 During a recent field visit, Bert-Jan Ottens visited youth centres that are already making a difference by implementing the knowledge and skills provided by this program, from seedling and harvesting techniques to market entry, water management, and, most importantly, the opportunities that organic agriculture offers to the youth in the region. 👉 Some direct results of these efforts are employment, increased production, better adaptation to changes, water management, and women entrepreneurship. These field visits were part of the first-ever ReGen55 Gathering in Kenya. (More details on this exciting event are coming soon!).     Learn more about youth organisations in Kenya in the video!    In the video, youth leaders ELIZABETH OJWANG, Roy Otieno, and Herbert Ambani, along with Stella Maina, from Green Rhino,   #ThisIsProFound #AdvisersInDevelopment #ReGen55 #Sustainability #Innovation #SmallScaleFarming #MarketExpansion #FoodSafety #YoungAgriEntrepreneurs #FoodRevolution  #IngredientsMatter #WomenEmpowerment #MarketEntry #MarketAnalysis #StrategicPlanning #BusinessGrowth #GreenFuture #SustainableBusiness #EcoFriendly #Regenerative

Exciting Announcement: Our Transformative Partnership in Uganda! I'm thrilled to announce Cynthia Systems' latest collaboration with Arise Africa Research and Consultancy Hub, led by the remarkable Humble Mubiru. This partnership represents a significant milestone in our mission to drive sustainable development across Africa. Under Humble's visionary leadership, Arise Africa Research has established itself as a beacon of transformation in Uganda. With over a decade of hands-on experience across business, non-profit, and education sectors, Humble brings an extraordinary combination of expertise, passion, and commitment to creating vibrant, equitable communities. We've developed a comprehensive digital platform that showcases Arise Africa's four pillars of impact: - Research & Consultancy: Delivering evidence-based solutions that drive meaningful change - Sustainable Agriculture: Implementing climate-smart practices for food security - Community Empowerment: Building resilient communities through skill development - Technology Solutions: Bridging digital divides with culturally sensitive innovations This project represents a technological breakthrough in sustainable development. Built using ReactJS by Meta, powered by Claude 3.5 Sonnet by Anthropic and FLUX 1.1-Pro by Black Forest Labs, the platform demonstrates how advanced AI can support community development. The result is more than just a website—it's a digital ecosystem that will help revitalize Uganda through sustainable practices, upskilling opportunities, and cutting-edge business solutions. What makes this partnership particularly special is Arise Africa's commitment to environmental stewardship. Their impressive achievements include planting over 10,000 trees, establishing 5,000+ kitchen gardens, and achieving an 18% reduction in local malnutrition rates. At Cynthia Systems, we're honored to support Humble and his team's mission of creating positive change. Together, we're not just building technology—we're cultivating hope, empowering communities, and nurturing a sustainable future for generations to come. Visit https://lnkd.in/gSxG9a44 to learn more about this transformative initiative. #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment #Innovation #Uganda #Technology #AI #Environment #SocialImpact #ClimateAction

I'm incredibly excited to share a milestone project that exemplifies the transformative power of AI in sustainable development. Working closely with Humble Mubiru and the remarkable team at Arise Africa Research and Consultancy Hub in Uganda, we at Cynthia Systems have crafted a digital platform that bridges technology and community empowerment. This collaboration represents everything I believe in about technology's role in creating positive change. The platform showcases Arise Africa Research's comprehensive approach to sustainable development, from climate-smart agriculture to community empowerment initiatives. What makes this project particularly special is how it harnesses advanced AI technology - including Claude 3.5 Sonnet by Anthropic and FLUX 1.1-Pro by Black Forest Labs - to support real-world impact in Ugandan communities. The numbers speak for themselves: over 10,000 trees planted, 5,000+ kitchen gardens established, and an 18% reduction in local malnutrition rates. But beyond the metrics, it's the human story that resonates most deeply - how technology can amplify the incredible work of dedicated leaders like Humble who are driving meaningful change in their communities. I invite you to explore both the technical innovation and social impact of this project at https://lnkd.in/gncebq93. This is the kind of work that reminds me why I chose a career in technology - its power to support and accelerate positive change in the world. Proud to be part of this journey towards a more sustainable and equitable future. #Innovation #SustainableDevelopment #AI #TechForGood #Uganda #CommunityEmpowerment

December 10, 2024, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), on behalf of the USAID-funded Feed the Future Rwanda Hinga Wunguke Activity, announced four transformative partnerships to improve inclusive financing for 500,000 farmers, prioritizing women, youth, and people with disabilities (PWDs). Highlights of the new partnerships:   BK Techouse and Exuus: BKTecHouse and Exuus, co-investing about RwF 1.18 billion, will scale up digital financial solutions for targeted farmers and agribusinesses. Rugori Investment Network (RIN) and RYAF: Supporting women, youth, and PWD-led businesses with tailored business development services. The project will also facilitate loans of RWF 5,208,000,000 (USD 4 million) in the next 3 years. About Feed the Future Rwanda Hinga Unduke Activity The USAID-funded $29.7 million Hinga Wunguke initiative aims to increase incomes and improve nutritional outcomes by sustainably enhancing agricultural productivity and strengthening markets for high-value and nutritious agricultural products. The five-year activity (2023–2028) is implemented in13 districts of Rwanda by Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture and Market Share Associates. ✍️: Jean Bernard MUKUNDENTE  #YouthInclusion #DigitalInclusion #DigitalFinancing #FEMAgEnv

Transforming Lives, One Farm at a Time - A Personal Journey with UrbanFarm Africa 🌍 As the founder of UrbanFarm Africa, my journey has been marked by the incredible stories of young people and women who are shaping a more sustainable future for Africa. Our mission extends beyond innovation; it's about empowering and igniting the potential of the next generation of sustainability leaders. Impact by Numbers: 300+ Young Adults Trained in 2024 across South Africa and Botswana , with a focus on empowering young women who represent 60% of our trainees. 256 Sustainable Jobs Created through our Hydro Coop initiatives, 70% of which have been secured by women, aiding in true sustainable woman empowerment. 80% Increase in Income for youths involved in our projects within the first year, with significant advancements in economic independence for female participants. Why This Matters: Each number and story is a testament to the resilience and capability of our youth, especially young women, who are at the forefront of the agricultural revolution we are nurturing. Their successes underscore the vital role of sustainable agriculture in driving social and economic upliftment. #UrbanFarmAfrica #YouthEmpowerment #WomenEmpowerment #SustainableDevelopment #AgricultureInnovation #EconomicGrowth

Imagine a place where innovation, sustainability, and community empowerment thrive together to reshape the future? That’s exactly what most of us want right? We recently had the pleasure of attending the launch of the masterplan for Kenya’s first Social Innovation Eco Village, developed by our partner, EmpServe Kenya. This project, once completed, will empower hundreds of people annually, particularly in Kajiado county which is one of the underserved regions of Kenya. In the coming days, we will delve deeper into why this project is so close to our hearts and its significance in the fight for sustainability and innovation. Stay tuned as we share the potential this project holds for Kenya’s future, especially in empowering marginalized communities with the tools necessary to fight climate change at grassroots level. In the meantime, we invite you to visit EmpServe’s website to learn more about the project and explore how you can be part of the sustainable future they are building. https://lnkd.in/g_MzqUh2 #sustainability #climatechange #innovation #climateadaptation

Discover how USAID's West Africa Trade & Investment Hub and Koster Keunen are transforming West Africa's beekeeping industry. Over 10,000 beekeepers, including inspiring women like Waïba Agoro, are increasing incomes and accessing international markets. 🌿🍯 The co-investment grant has led to the installation of 36,000 hives, the professionalization of beekeeping, growth in exports, empowerment of women and youth, and positive impact on biodiversity. https://bit.ly/4bgABdZ