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- Co-operative Bank Expands Supports for Naivasha Horticultural Fair;
- Bank commits to three-year partnership to support Kenya’s thriving horticulture sector;
Co-operative Bank of Kenya has reaffirmed its role in strengthening the country’s agribusiness sector by inking a sponsorship of the 2025 Naivasha Horticultural Fair.
Under the three-year agreement, the bank is deepening its commitment to the horticulture industry which earned US$1.06 billion (KES 137.3 billion) in export revenue in 2024 and employs over 40% of Kenya’s population, according to The State Department for Agriculture.
“As Kenya’s leading agribusiness financier, our title sponsorship of the Naivasha Horticultural Fair represents more than partnership – it’s a strategic investment in Kenya’s economic future.
We’re directly engaging with 12,000 industry stakeholders because we understand that the success of Kenya’s horticulture sector requires dedicated financial leadership and innovative solutions tailored to this critical industry,” said Olive Ong’ele, Sector Head Agribusiness at Co-operative Bank.
The sponsorship aligns with Co-operative Bank’s long-term goals of strengthening support across key sectors including horticulture, tea, and coffee.
Kenya’s horticulture sector is a significant contributor to the country’s export earnings, through the export of flowers, fruits, and vegetables to international markets.
Flower exports alone are projected to reach KES 110 billion (US$851 million) in 2025 as per forecasts from the Kenya Flower Council.
The Naivasha Horticultural Fair serves as a crucial networking platform where exporters, growers, suppliers, and service providers converge to explore business opportunities and share industry insights; and their significance cannot be overstated for Kenya’s economy.
According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data, agriculture contributes 21.3% to GDP and accounts for 65% of national export earnings, making events that strengthen industry networks and showcase innovations directly impact millions of livelihoods.
Co-operative Bank‘s participation in the fair highlighted its specialised agribusiness banking solutions, including export financing, supply chain financing, and tailored loan products for horticultural enterprises.
The bank’s representatives engaged with fair participants to discuss customized financial solutions that address the specific challenges facing the sector.
“Co-operative Bank doesn’t simply provide banking services to the horticulture sector,” added Ong’ele.” Our specialised solutions address the sector’s most pressing challenges: from seasonal cash flow management for smallholder farmers to sophisticated export credit facilities for major flower exporters shipping to Europe.
When Kenya’s horticulture exports grow, we ensure our clients have the financial infrastructure to capitalize on every opportunity.”
As Kenya continues to position itself as a leading exporter of horticultural products globally, Co-operative Bank’s sustained investment in the sector through partnerships like the Naivasha Horticultural Fair demonstrates the bank’s long-term commitment to supporting the growth and development of Kenya’s agribusiness landscape.
