Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 17, 2025 – IFC and Kifiya Financial Technology, a leading Ethiopian financial technology company and digital services provider, today signed a partnership to bring digital financial services to one million smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.
The Digitizing Smallholders Farmers Project aims to increase access to digital financial services by digitally mapping and profiling one million farmers, and providing the necessary training for agents that provide financial services, allowing customers to make payments, deposit or withdraw money and potentially access loans in remote, rural areas.
“By leveraging Kifiya’s technology and deep market expertise, this initiative will unlock financial opportunities for smallholder farmers, enabling them to thrive in today’s digital-first economy. We will be able to provide farmers with access to digital financial services, improve their productivity, and enhance their livelihoods through data-driven solutions,” said Munir Mohammed Duri, CEO of Kifiya, during the signing ceremony.
“This partnership marks a significant step towards the digital transformation of Ethiopia's agricultural sector, promising to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and contribute to the country's economic growth and food security,” said Paula Maria Leynes Felipe, IFC Regional Manager Upstream and Advisory Services for Eastern and Southern Africa.
This initiative is supported by the Gates Foundation and aligns with the Ethiopian government's Digital Agriculture Roadmap (2025-2032), which aims to revolutionize Ethiopia’s agricultural sector by integrating digital solutions across the entire value chain.
The government of Ethiopia has set ambitious goals under the Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, which aims to integrate digital technologies across various sectors, including agriculture, which plays a pivotal role in Ethiopia's economy.
To make this possible, significant improvements are needed, such as quality, up-to-date data on individual farmer land holdings, production, and yield. This data, once added to a digital national platform, can also be used to extend financial access to farmers, strengthening the performance of various value chains and enhancing farmers’ financial well-being.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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About Kifiya Financial Technology:
Kifiya is an AI-powered ecosystem technology company specializing in intelligent data-driven decisioning, financial services, digital agriculture, and smart mobility infrastructure solutions. It has built robust technological infrastructures for over a decade and implemented transformative initiatives that address market failures. It empowers MSMEs, smallholder farmers, and low- to mid-income consumers by providing access to financial services and markets.
About Gates Foundation:
The Gates Foundation is a private foundation founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. It is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals around the world by addressing critical issues such as health, education, and economic development.
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