Digital tools provided to 250 farmers by Safaricom at the Safire Connect forum in Eldoret, Kenya
In a series of events aimed at promoting digital and financial inclusion for farmers, Safaricom recently hosted the Safire Connect Forum in the Rift region, with Turbo serving as the starting point for the M-PESA Sokoni - Rift Edition festivities. This initiative, part of M-PESA's 18th anniversary celebration, brought together farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders to foster learning, empowerment, and business networking focused on agriculture.
The Safire Connect Forum served as a platform for farmers to explore digital tools, access financial literacy sessions, and discover new pathways to scale their agribusinesses. Over 250 farmers were equipped with financial tools and digital solutions, including Taasi Till, Taasi Pochi, Ziidi MMF, Fuliza ya Biashara, Pochi la Biashara, and Lipa na M-PESA. These tools support business growth and cash flow management, enabling secure, cashless transactions.
Microsoft, DTB Bank, E-Mobilis, Centonomy, Strathmore Business School, TransUnion, and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr were partners at the event, contributing to its success. The forum in Eldoret, one of the events, was a day of learning, empowerment, and networking for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
DigiFarm, an agri-tech platform for smallholder farmers, was also featured at the Safire Connect Forum. This platform connects farmers to quality products, services, and markets, and sustainably finances them. The aim of these forums is to help transform farming into thriving agribusinesses.
Safaricom, through initiatives like Safire Connect, is committed to supporting businesses as they embrace technology and grow. The company's Chief Consumer Business Officer, Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, emphasised this commitment, stating that Safaricom is dedicated to driving digital inclusion and economic growth in rural Kenya.
The Safire Connect Forum is not just a one-off event. It is part of a week-long celebration, the M-PESA Sokoni - Rift Edition, running from 14th to 19th July. This celebration includes roadshows, customer rewards, and community engagement forums, aiming to reach and empower more farmers across the Rift region.
In conclusion, the Safire Connect Forum is a significant step towards increasing access to digital solutions, financial services, and market information for farmers in the Rift region. By improving productivity and profitability, these initiatives help farmers integrate more fully into the digital economy, contributing to economic growth in rural Kenya.
The Safire Connect Forum, a key event during M-PESA's 18th anniversary celebration, enables farmers to explore various digital tools and attend financial literacy sessions, empowering them to scale their agribusinesses effectively. In collaboration with partners like Microsoft and DTB Bank, these forums showcase initiatives like DigiFarm, aimed at connect farmers to quality products, services, and markets. The week-long M-PESA Sokoni - Rift Edition, which includes the Safire Connect Forum, fosters digital inclusion and economic growth in rural Kenya by providing technology-driven solutions and financial services to farmers.
