
22/05/2025
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Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary, ๐๐จ๐ง. ๐
๐๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฒ๐, officially closed the #๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, with a rallying call for Africa to take charge of financing its agri-food systems.
In his remarks, CS Oparanya emphasized that Africa can sustainably finance its agri-food systems, pointing to bold innovations and evolving policy frameworks that are shifting the financing landscape. He noted that MSMEs and cooperatives are at the core of this transformation, playing a crucial role in food security, climate resilience and inclusive economic growth.
The CS hailed cooperatives as key drivers of financial inclusion in rural areasโempowering smallholder farmers through aggregation, affordable credit and collective resilience. "They are the peopleโs platform for equitable access and shared prosperity," he said, adding that organizing MSMEs into cooperatives and SACCOs offers a practical path to sustainable financing and enhanced bargaining power.
He further underscored the need to elevate youth and women in food systems, embrace technology and data, build inclusive policies and adopt innovative financing models for smallholders. Oparanya also welcomed the adoption of the Kampala Declaration, describing it as a strong continental commitment to increased investment in agri-food systems.