From L-R: MicroSave Consulting Group Managing Director Graham A.N. Wright and Equity Group Managing Director & CEO Dr. James Mwangi during the signing of a partnership agreement between Equity Group and MicroSave Consulting. Equity Group and MSC (MicroSave Consulting) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen financial inclusion and advance gender equity in Kenya’s fisheries sector, positioning the blue economy as a key driver of sustainable growth./HANDOUT
Fish farmers, traders and fishing communities across Kenya are set to benefit from a new partnership aimed at improving access to credit, insurance, training and modern technology in the fisheries sector.
The initiative, launched through a partnership between Equity Group and MicroSave Consulting (MSC), seeks to address long-standing challenges that have limited growth in Kenya’s blue economy, including lack of financing, post-harvest losses and limited market access.
The programme will target fishers, aquaculture farmers, processors, traders, feed producers and exporters with tailored financial products and climate-smart solutions designed to improve productivity and incomes. Among the planned interventions are access to affordable credit and insurance, financial literacy training, cold storage facilities to reduce fish spoilage, and digital tools to help farmers make informed business decisions.
Women and youth involved in fishing activities are expected to be among the biggest beneficiaries as the programme seeks to promote gender equity and create sustainable livelihoods in coastal and lakeside communities.
Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Nairobi, Equity Group CEO Dr James Mwangi said the partnership would help transform fisheries from subsistence activities into commercially viable enterprises.
“This partnership brings together institutions with diverse capabilities, creating a powerful platform to drive impact at scale. The fisheries sector represents a significant but underexploited opportunity. Through this collaboration, we will not only expand financial inclusion but also advance gender equity, strengthen food systems, and support climate resilience,” said Dr. Mwangi.
From L-R: MicroSave Consulting Lead, Center for Responsible Technologies, Africa, Joshua Oiro; Partner and Regional Lead – Africa, T. V. S. Ravi Kumar; and Group Managing Director, Graham A.N. Wright, with Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi; Director, Equity Group Foundation Operations, Dr. Joanne Korir; and Equity Bank Kenya Managing Director, Moses Nyabanda, during the signing of a partnership agreement. Equity Group and MSC (MicroSave Consulting) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen financial inclusion and advance gender equity in Kenya’s fisheries sector, positioning the blue economy as a key driver of sustainable growth./HANDOUT
“We are transforming agriculture and fisheries from subsistence activities into vibrant economic sectors. By leveraging digital public infrastructure and AI, we aim to elevate these sectors from traditional, informal engagements into modern economic engines that attract capital, improve productivity, and create inclusive opportunities for women to work alongside their sons and daughters while driving food security and economic growth,” he said.
Dr Mwangi said integrating digital infrastructure, data and artificial intelligence into the sector would help attract investment, improve productivity and strengthen food security. MSC Group Managing Director Graham A.N. Wright said the partnership comes at a critical time when climate change and global disruptions are threatening food systems and livelihoods.
He noted that the collaboration would help communities better manage risks while improving access to information, financing and climate-smart technologies.
“By linking these communities to tailored financial products and climate-smart solutions, we can address structural barriers and unlock sustainable opportunities for women and youth in the fisheries sector,” Wright said.
The partnership will also support entrepreneurship training, mentorship and market linkages to help small-scale fish farmers graduate into sustainable commercial enterprises. Initial implementation will begin in Kenya before expanding to other African markets where Equity Group operates.
