Vert Ltd in Kenya, in which the Foundation is a shareholder, received a visit from representatives of the EU and the EIB.
Thursday, April 6, a delegation of members of the European Parliament and the European Investment Bank (EIB) on a visit to Kenya came to see how the EIB supports investments in 60 high-impact projects in the country. The MEPs visited the site of one of the high-impact projects: Green, Ltd, a social enterprise specializing in the export of fresh fruits and vegetables, located in Kathome and of which the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation has been a shareholder since 2016.
"We are very satisfied with the work and the impact that EU and EIB funding is having on the ground. […] We look forward to the continued partnership between the EU and Kenya." Irene Giribaldi, Head of Delegation.
Vert Ltd's social mission is aligned with the EIB's policy and objective: to transform rural life and foster economic development.
“We support a base of over 5,000 smallholder farmers across the country, from whom we source fresh fruit and produce, which is then primarily exported to the European market. The funding we received enabled us to increase the amount of mangoes we purchased from smallholders, creating and supporting 95 permanent jobs and over 300 temporary jobs during peak seasons, as well as countless other indirect jobs throughout the chain. I am just one example of many businesses that have grown or expanded thanks to EIB funding,” said Jane Maina, Managing Director of Vert Ltd.
Watch the Citizen TV Kenya report:
Vert, Ltd., founded in 2000, has established a sustainable model by working directly with small local farmers organized into small groups. Vert Ltd. significantly increases their income and provides opportunities to diversify their production, while fostering stable outlets for export or local markets.
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation facilitates the emergence of more inclusive and resilient agricultural value chains by investing in agribusiness with high social impact.
