Nairobi, Kenya: A critical summit aimed at unlocking vital financial resources for Africa’s millions of smallholder farmers will convene in Nairobi next week. The African Development Bank Group and the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) are set to host a high-level conference, “Scaling Finance for Smallholder Farmers in Africa,” at the Marriot Hotel on March 17-18, 2025.

The conference will address the persistent challenge of limited access to finance that hinders the growth and productivity of smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of Africa’s agricultural sector. It will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, farmer associations, financial institutions, investors, and technology providers, to forge solutions and drive impactful change.  

The summit’s agenda will focus on several key areas, including:

• Mapping the Financial Ecosystem: Identifying the key players and scalable financial mechanisms that can support smallholder farmers.  
• Showcasing Innovation: Highlighting innovative funding models that have proven successful in empowering smallholder farmers.
• Building Stronger Linkages: Strengthening the connections between the smallholder support ecosystem and potential funders.
• Data-Driven Progress: Establishing a robust data collection platform to track progress and measure the impact of interventions.
• Climate-Smart Financing: Identifying actionable financing mechanisms, including climate finance, to scale successful models.

Despite the significant support provided by the African Development Bank and other development partners to African governments and large agricultural companies, crucial players in the smallholder farming ecosystem often struggle to access affordable financing. Seed and fertilizer companies, agtech and fintech firms, microfinance institutions, off-takers, aggregators, and advisory service providers face significant challenges in securing the necessary funds to expand their operations.  

PAFO, representing over 80 million African farmers through its network of national organizations, will play a central role in the conference. Its recognition as the representative body of African farmers’ organizations at the continental level ensures that the voices of smallholder farmers are heard and their needs are addressed.  

The Nairobi summit aims to be a pivotal moment in the effort to transform Africa’s agricultural landscape. By fostering collaboration and driving innovative solutions, the conference seeks to create a more inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem that empowers smallholder farmers and drives agricultural growth across the continent.