Five years after launching the AgriBiz Programme, the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) today officially concluded the initiative during a close-out ceremony, celebrating a legacy that will live on through strengthened county institutions, empowered entrepreneurs and enduring enterprise support systems.
The ceremony marked an important milestone for the European Union and Danida-supported programme, signalling the transition of an enterprise support ecosystem that will continue creating opportunities for entrepreneurs long after AgriBiz's implementation. Over the past five years, AgriBiz has strengthened women and youth-led agribusiness enterprises across Kenya while building local systems designed to support entrepreneurs beyond the programme cycle.
The day's activities reflected that transition. Earlier in the day, the Kiambu Business Incubation Hub was formally handed over to the Kiambu County Government, completing the transfer of all eight Business Incubation Hubs established under AgriBiz to their respective county governments. The hubs, located in Meru, Isiolo, Machakos, Bungoma, Kisii, Kilifi, Uasin Gishu and Kiambu, brought business support services closer to entrepreneurs across Kenya.
Later in the day, at KCIC offices in Nairobi, the close-out process continued with the handover of selected programme assets to the organisation, marking the fulfilment of AgriBiz's final close-out obligations.
Speaking during the ceremony, KCIC Board Chairperson Dr. Lydia Kiburu described it as an important institutional transition, noting that responsible programme closure is not simply an administrative exercise but an opportunity to ensure that the systems, partnerships and knowledge created through an initiative retain their value.
"Through this partnership, we have tested ideas, validated them, and built knowledge that will take us to many more places," said Dr. Kiburu.
Over the past five years, AgriBiz supported more than 2,100 enterprises through its network of Business Incubation Hubs by strengthening business management, improving access to finance, providing technical assistance, facilitating mentorship, and creating market linkages.
The initiative enabled enterprises to formalise their operations, improve production systems, introduce new products, access wider markets, and strengthen relationships with farmers and suppliers, contributing to more resilient local economies.
While the close-out formally concludes AgriBiz's implementation, today's handover also represents the continuation of the systems, partnerships and enterprise support ecosystem developed over the past five years.
With the Business Incubation Hubs now under county stewardship, and selected assets transferred to KCIC, the initiative's legacy will live on through institutions equipped to sustain and build upon its achievements.
Reflecting on AgriBiz's impact, Elizabeth Matioli of Danida said AgriBiz had turned a vision of making Kenya's agricultural sector more inclusive into a programme that delivered meaningful results. She noted that its success was driven by entrepreneurs who transformed the support they received into sustainable businesses, jobs and lasting impact.
"Looking at these entrepreneurs as representatives of more than 2,100 businesses, we can truly say the vision has become a reality," she said.
Looking ahead, KCIC Chief Executive Officer Joseph Murabula said the close-out marks the beginning of a new chapter, with the organisation building on the knowledge, partnerships and institutional capacity developed through AgriBiz.
"Through AgriBiz, we have built significant institutional capacity, and I believe that is perhaps the greatest asset we retain today," he said.
Beyond the institutional achievements, AgriBiz's legacy is reflected in the journeys of the entrepreneurs it supported across the country.
Mercy Munyari's journey reflects that impact. Through AgriBiz's financing and business advisory services, Mercy established the business systems and technical capacity needed to launch a yoghurt business serving markets across Nakuru and Eldoret. The business has since expanded beyond dairy processing, partnering with the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) on a seed distribution programme serving depots across several counties. Today, the business employs nearly 20 people, illustrating the lasting impact of AgriBiz's business support.
Over the past five years, AgriBiz has demonstrated that sustainable enterprise development requires more than financing alone. It requires responsive business support, strong partnerships, local delivery systems and institutions capable of supporting entrepreneurs beyond the lifespan of individual programmes.
As KCIC advances the implementation of Strategy 4.0 and its Pan-African ambition, the lessons from AgriBiz will continue informing how the organisation designs programmes, strengthens enterprise ecosystems and expands opportunities for women and young people in climate-resilient agribusiness.
Although AgriBiz has reached the end of its implementation, its legacy now lives on through strengthened county institutions, empowered entrepreneurs, enduring partnerships and the systems established to support enterprise growth for years to come