Douglas Mwiti 
The 8th World Congress on Rural and Agricultural Finance, started on 27 October 2025 up to 30 October 2025 at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa, Kenya.
The Congress convened every three years, is the first of its kind to be held in Kenya since its inaugural launch in 2005 in Addis Ababa. The main objective of this global platform is to discuss topical global development issues around financing of rural and agricultural MSMEs.
The event held under the overarching theme:
‘Building Resilient Local Food Systems: The Role of Robust Financing Mechanisms and Policy’ is a collective consensus to continue amplifying the call to achieve SDG’s targets, particularly SDG2 on ‘zero hunger’ of which food systems remain the main focal point.
The Congress is co-hosted by the African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA) and Central Bank of Kenya in collaboration with four other Regional and global Associations: the Latin American Association of Development Financing Institutions (ALIDE), the Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA), the Near East–North Africa Regional Agricultural Credit Association (NENARACA) and the Confédération Internationale du Crédit Agricole (CICA).
The event was officially opened by the Chief guest, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, EGH Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya.
Also in attendance was the Central Bank of Kenya(CBK), Deputy Governor, Gerald Nyaoma who represented Dr. Kamau Thugge, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya alongside key development actors and representatives from diverse financial institutions drawn from over 80 countries across all continents.
During the four days of deliberations, the 8th World Congress aims to address the following issues;
1. Come up with policy recommendations and considerations on robust financing mechanisms to effectively address agrifood system challenges.
2. Raise more awareness about the critical role that robust finance and policy can play in the achievement of the SDGs and the urgency of food system resilience as well as identify emerging patterns and solutions across regions in response to the UNFSS+2 call to action by the UN Secretary-General.
3. Enhance the readiness and capabilities of financial institutions to mobilize and deploy customized financial products with minimal risks towards local agrifood systems.
The base of local Agri food systems comprises millions of small and medium-sized businesses and smallholder farmers who produce one third of the food consumed worldwide.
Yet they are among the most disadvantaged when it comes to access to finance.
It is significant to note that the government of Kenya’s ‘Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda’ (BETA) prioritizes agriculture as a key sector for economic recovery and inclusive growth.
The focus on strengthening agricultural value chains, financing and mechanization, improving production and productivity, and enhancing market access aligns well with the theme of the 8th World Congress on rural and agricultural finance.
