Absa Bank injects half a billion to boost mechanised farming in Kisumu
The initiative is expected to accelerate agricultural productivity by making modern equipment more accessible to small-holder farmers
Absa Bank Kenya has announced an expansion of its lending cap under an ongoing Ksh 500 million financing agreement with agri-tech firm Hello Tractor and US agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere.
Under the initial phase (2023), Hello Tractor fully utilised the Ksh 500 million to purchase 100 John Deere tractors and other inputs. This success has now opened a window for extended lending with the aim of reaching and impacting more farmers.
The enhanced partnership is set to empower over 300,000 farmers with access to modern farming equipment, fueling national food security and job creation. Absa has now extended the lending window, unlocking a new phase of the project to accelerate nationwide access to tractor-hailing services.
Through Hello Tractor’s innovative mobile app, smallholder farmers—especially in Kenya’s breadbasket regions—can now lease modern tractors and farm equipment on a Pay-As-You-Use basis. This tech-driven solution seamlessly connects farmers to tractor owners, suppliers, and service providers, bridging a decades-old mechanisation gap.
Speaking at the launch of Hello Tractor’s latest mechanisation hub in Kisumu County, Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa, Business Banking Director at Absa Bank Kenya, hailed the expanded initiative as a game-changer.
“This partnership is lowering barriers to tractor access, boosting enterprise, and transforming food production in Kenya. Mechanisation is not just modernising agriculture—it’s improving livelihoods and strengthening communities,” said Wasunna.
The initiative is expected to accelerate agricultural productivity by making modern equipment more accessible to small-holder farmers. It is anticipated that the arrangement will result in 3,000 new direct jobs in the long run.
““As Absa, we believe that this partnership with John Deere, a world-renowned leader in agricultural machinery solutions, has not only lowered the barriers to accessing tractors, but has also boosted their enterprise by significantly impacting the livelihoods of farmers and the communities around them,” stated Wasunna.
Hello Tractor CEO Jehiel Oliver on his part noted that the partnership with Absa Bank Kenya has provided the financial support needed to extend the programme for much better efficiency in overall.
““Kisumu was our first hub, and we currently have 50 tractors serving 150,000 acres of land. Our partnership with Absa has enabled us to support farmers to run their farms efficiently by providing inputs, expert advice, and training centres for farmers for the best agricultural practices,” he said.
Kisumu Agriculture Executive Kenneth Onyango applauded the efforts by Hello Tractor and Absa to help farmers transition from subsistence farming to commercial.
