Prediction
In 2026, we will see a notable shift as African youth, particularly in Kenya, begin to actively embrace agriculture, not as a last resort, but as a tech-enabled opportunity. This will be driven by increased digitisation of the agricultural value chain at the grower level, the expansion of digital financial services like instant produce payouts, and greater access to transparent markets through digital platforms and community networks.
Supporting Evidence
Kenya has one of the highest internet and mobile money penetration rates in Africa (Safaricom reports approximately 32 million M-Pesa users), and youth under 35 make up over 75% of the population. The convergence of digital literacy and agricultural tech creates fertile ground for youth engagement.
Platforms focused on agritech are enabling real-time payments to farmers, eliminating the 3- to 6-month payment delays that traditionally discouraged youth participation in farming. Instant payouts remove the income uncertainty that previously drove farmers, especially youth, into informal work or urban migration.
There’s growing adoption of digital cooperative management systems that track inputs, member contributions, and produce, enabling data-backed financing and transparency.
National coffee conversations and platforms, including players across the coffee value chain, championed by Henry Kinyua, the Kenyan president’s advisor on coffee, are giving farmers unprecedented market access, price transparency, and shared knowledge in real time.
The Kenyan government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) prioritises digital and agricultural innovation, reinforcing this trajectory.
Risk Factors
A major constraint could be poor infrastructure at the last mile, including unreliable electricity, internet, and road access, which may slow the rollout of tech platforms and hinder the full benefits of digitisation. Additionally, policy or regulatory delays in opening up agri-fintech ecosystems or protecting digital farmer data could also stifle momentum.
Who is Gatwiri?
Gatwiri Njogu-Mokaya is the CEO and co-founder of VunaPay, a Kenyan agrifintech startup building payment infrastructure for farmers and agricultural supply chains. Before launching VunaPay, she led business development and strategy for Africa at Oracle and previously worked in product and business development at Safaricom.
She also helped launch Safaricom’s social impact ventures, building the experience that now drives VunaPay’s farmer-first approach to payments and financial access.
