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The Zinga Project: Empowering Farmers Through Beekeeping

In a world where every action counts towards fostering sustainable development and empowering farming communities, the Zinga Project shines as a beacon of hope and progress. Launched on December 1st, 2023, in partnership with Corekees, this initiative marks a...

A Day in the Cookstove Production Department with Diana Wangui

Q. What does your day-to-day look like in the energy - efficient cookstove production department?  As a manager, I'm deeply involved in the production process. You'll often find me working alongside my team, molding and firing liners in our traditional kiln. I believe...

Women Empowerment: The Inspirational Journey of Loise Ndegwa

Nestled within the rolling hills of Hombe, lies a woman whose story is synonymous to the term, women empowerment, embodying resilience, passion, and a deep-rooted connection to nature. Loise Wanjiru Ndegwa, a devoted mother from Mathera East, traces her environmental...

Women Empowerment Through Sustainable Partnerships: Lydia Wangechi’s Story

At an elevation of 1,917 meters sits the vibrant Hombe region; a flourishing paradise surrounded by a lush canopy of diverse and majestic trees. These trees, towering gracefully over the forest floor, stretch their branches towards the sky as a rich testament to their contribution towards a thriving ecosystem. Home to a number of wildlife species, Hombe region can easily be described as a tropical getaway, characterized by clean air and constant pockets of bird sounds.

Discussions at UNEA 6 Towards Shaping Our Environmental Future

The Sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6) is happening now in Nairobi, Kenya. This assembly marks a pivotal juncture in global efforts to tackle environmental challenges. The event, which is also held virtually until March 1, 2024, brings...

The First Akili Community in Kangema

Delve into the remarkable story of the first Akili community in Kangema, Central Kenya, where the seeds of community empowerment were sown and blossomed into transformative change. Through innovative solutions like Animal Feed Boosters for dairy farmers, Akili Group is revolutionizing agricultural practices and fostering holistic improvements in rural communities across Kenya. Discover how partnerships, adaptability, and a shared goal of holistic development are driving positive change and paving the way for sustainable community empowerment.

Sustainable Solutions for Depleted Soils Through Biochar

Boniface Gathogoh, an Akili Model Farmer and local farmer from Nyeri; a land famous for its rich resources and towering mountain whose peak dances among the clouds, wakes up just as the gray of the night shifts to a golden yellow. It’s the crack of dawn, and his farm, which sits on the eastern side of his Nyeri homestead in a village known as Gichira, needs tending to. However, farming is not as easy as it used to be, and the soil, not as rich and fertile. Back-breaking long hours characterize his days on the farm, with little yield to show for his efforts.

Ashoka East Africa’s Step Toward A Sustainable Future 

Among our many impactful collaborations of the past year, Akili Group was honored to dive headfirst into an initiative spearheaded by Ashoka East Africa in partnership with the Charles Stewart Foundation. The project, "Improving the Livelihood of Smallholder Farmers...

Cultivating Success: Akili Group’s Thriving Partnership with Holland Greentech in Horticultural Innovation

Akili Group has embarked on an exciting new venture, joining forces with Holland Greentech, a branch of the renowned South African company, Rijk Zwaan, specializing in top-notch organic horticultural seeds. This dynamic partnership is dedicated to cultivating...

A Community Driven Solution To A Global Problem

Kenya has endured three severe droughts in the last decade (2010-2011, 2016-2017 and 2020-2022). The most recent drought resonates as the most severe and prolonged. Lives have been upended, livelihoods shattered, and vast populations displaced from the only homes...

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We are committed to value addition for the benefit of the poor

Who We Are

We promote the use of technology across value chains

Who We Are

We unlock Agribusiness potential through affordable financing

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We empower communities to realize their economic potential

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Akili’s Theory of Change

Akili’s Theory of Change

Africa is home to the world’s highest number of people living in extreme poverty, with about 422 million people living on less than $1.90 per day, according to the World Bank. The cause: historical injustices; deportation of 12.5 million+ Africans through the slave trade; displacement of millions through colonialism; resource theft and willful translocation of the bright to the developed world; neo-colonial exploitation and post colonial misrule and corruption. Complex!

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Akili Group’s Ecosystem Approach in Community Engagement

Akili Group’s Ecosystem Approach in Community Engagement

When Akili was founded in 2010, ecosystem thinking was embedded in the DNA of the business through the inclusive value chain model. “We were intentional about creating value and sharing it with all stakeholders, cascading the benefits to the smallholders we set out to work with,” explains Haron Wachira, Akili Group’s founder.

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An innovation-Driven Collaboration Towards Healthcare Access in Rural Kenya

An innovation-Driven Collaboration Towards Healthcare Access in Rural Kenya

A Banda Health Partnership: An Innovative- Driven Collaboration Towards Healthcare Access in Rural Kenya

In a world budding with digital and technological innovations, comes a cutting edge system centered around healthcare: the BandaGo System. The software is developed and provided by Banda Health, a Public Charity Organization co-founded by Dr. Steve Letchford, aimed at addressing an urgent need in kenya: improving healthcare access to vulnerable communities in rural areas.

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Troubles of the Macadamia Value Chain

Troubles of the Macadamia Value Chain

After I recently completed writing a business client for a client on the potential of macadamia farming in Kenya, I was blown away by how we perpetually ignore the extremely simple with devastating consequences. Below, I share a few of these ‘insights’: Beating off...

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Realizing the Dream of Growing Kenya’s Economy

Realizing the Dream of Growing Kenya’s Economy

If we just worked a bit harder, a bit more diligently we can start realizing our dream of growing the economy by double digits. First here is where we are now: Kenya’s GDP was $40.70 billion (2012, World Bank), or Shs 3,540,900,000,000. That is not as much money as it...

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How to Make Your Own Urea Lick for Your Cows

How to Make Your Own Urea Lick for Your Cows

This formula was shared at a farmer’s livestock improvement seminar and one lady farmer reported a 100% milk production rise in two weeks: Ingredients (10 kg) Molasses 3,8 kg Urea 1.2 kg Minerals (DCP) 0.2 kg Industrial salt 0.3 Kg Maize bran 3.2 kg Cement 10 kg...

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Cyclical Drought: And What We Can Do

Cyclical Drought: And What We Can Do

It happens every few years. Here are some headlines I found by just googling “drought kenya”: 2016: 1.3m Kenyans affected by drought – government 2015:Kenya ending drought emergencies policy review: scenarios for building resilience in ASALs 2012: Drought in Kenya |...

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Why The Entire Value Chain Approach?

Why The Entire Value Chain Approach?

Why is an entire value chain focus is important as the way out of poverty for rural poor? A predictable or guaranteed net return on investment is the key to wealth creation in any enterprise. In small-scale rural production however, agricultural producers can almost...

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