Absa Bank Kenya PLC has scaled up its landmark KES 500 million financing deal with agri-tech disruptor Hello Tractor and global machinery giant John Deere, in a bold move to revolutionize Kenya’s agricultural sector through mechanization. The enhanced partnership is set to empower over 300,000 farmers with access to modern farming equipment, fueling national food security and job creation.
First signed two years ago, the tripartite agreement has already facilitated the purchase of 100 John Deere tractors and other critical implements. With the initial funding fully utilized, Absa has 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 mechanization 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 Ms. Wasunna.
The long-term impact of the enhanced financing deal is staggering. The project is projected to create 3,000 new direct jobs, mechanize over 300,000 smallholder farmers, and generate nearly 1 million metric tons of food, with an estimated market value of KES 21.4 billion (USD 150 million).
Hello Tractor CEO Jehiel Oliver underscored the importance of the partnership in scaling mechanization across the region.
“Our hubs bring together farmers, input providers, agronomists, and tractor owners to create a thriving agricultural ecosystem. Thanks to Absa’s support, we’ve expanded to serve 150,000 acres through just 50 tractors. This growth is sparking similar transformations across Africa,” he noted.
Kisumu County’s CEC for Agriculture, Kenneth Onyango, praised the initiative for aligning with county goals.
“Helping farmers transition from subsistence to commercial farming supports our food security agenda. We commend Hello Tractor and Absa for this critical work,” Onyango said.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing about 50% of GDP, 60% of export revenue, and employing 40% of the workforce. Absa Bank’s information-led agribusiness strategy is central to this transformation, offering sustainable financing and advisory services across the agricultural value chain—from input providers to agro-industry players.
Importantly, the deal has also catalyzed increased female participation in mechanized farming, aligning with Absa’s broader diversity and inclusion strategy.
With this latest financing injection, Absa and Hello Tractor are not only fueling a revolution in farming—they’re helping thousands of Kenyan farmers shift gears toward a more productive, profitable, and food-secure future.
