Youth Fund and One Acre Fund Partner on Agribusiness Loans and Training
Updated October 9, 2026
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) and One Acre Fund’s Tupande programme announced a partnership to combine agribusiness financing with training, farm support and market links for young farmers. Applicants should verify the loan ceiling before planning around a specific amount: public reports and YEDF’s published product information do not currently match.
What the partnership is intended to provide
The partnership framework links YEDF financing and enterprise-development support with Tupande’s technical guidance, farm inputs and help with market access. The Star reported that the programme was launched in February 2026 and that repayment schedules would be aligned with agricultural production cycles. The report also described an initial training event in Nakuru.
Training and market support can matter as much as credit: a farmer needs to estimate input costs, expected harvest, likely buyers and when sales income will arrive. A loan can still leave a business under pressure if repayment begins before the crop or livestock venture generates cash.
The published loan limits conflict
A February 16 report by The Star said the new agribusiness drive offered soft loans of up to KSh2 million. However, YEDF’s Agribizz product page and its 2025 loan-products booklet list a maximum of KSh1 million for the standard Agri-Bizz loan. The booklet lists an 8% interest rate; the product page also lists a 1% processing fee and terms that vary by loan size.
The published documents do not explain whether the partnership has a separate KSh2 million facility or revised terms. Treat the KSh2 million figure as a reported programme announcement, not a confirmed limit for every applicant. Before borrowing, ask YEDF to confirm in writing the applicable maximum, interest and fees, repayment schedule, security requirements and eligibility for the specific partnership.
Who may apply and where to start
YEDF’s 2025 booklet says its intended beneficiaries include youth aged 18 to 34 and identifies individuals, registered groups, partnerships and companies among the Agri-Bizz applicants. That does not mean every applicant qualifies automatically; the Fund says applications are subject to document review and vetting.
The booklet directs applicants to visit the Youth Fund office at their county headquarters, obtain and complete the relevant application form, and return it with the required documents. A Fund officer then guides applicants through vetting and any required training. YEDF lists current individual and group application forms and contact details on its website; its published contacts include 0723 522 841 and info@youthfund.go.ke. Confirm current terms directly with the Fund before paying anyone or taking on a loan.
A practical check before borrowing
Prepare a simple cash-flow plan that includes land access, inputs, labour, transport, expected yield, a realistic selling price and the date money is likely to come in. Compare that schedule with the lender’s instalments and keep a reserve for weather, pests or a lower market price. Do not borrow the published maximum simply because it is available.
