AFRACA News

On behalf of the AFRACA network and Executive Committee (EXCOM) we celebrate and express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Jesimen Chipika, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Chairlady of the AFRACA Executive Committee for her exemplary service to the Association. Your Bank assumed office in AFRACA as Chair in February 2021 with a new team of Executive Committee Members at a time when the whole global economy was challenged by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which almost paralyzed most...

As Dr. Patrick Njoroge’s tenure came to a close at the Central Bank of Kenya, CBK, AFRACA gives special tribute and remembers his strong commitment and willingness to support the Associations’ activities. Dr. Njoroge was appointed the ninth Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya on June 26, 2015 with his eight year tenure as CBK boss coming to an end this June.   During his tenure as Central Bank Governor, the banking sector in Kenya went from strength to strength,...

The Market Insight study was based on wide consultations with industry stakeholders over a five-month period. The study centered on the Kenya credit ecosystem and the implications of using alternative data (non-traditional) to prudently extend credit access to micro and small enterprises (MSE’s) in Kenya. The study acknowledges the availability of pockets of alternative data (not-traditional) available in different forms and structure such as data from payment service providers, transactional data from supermarkets, utility firms etc, supply chain data among others....

The AFRACA Executive Committee, EXCOM continued to exercise its oversight role to ensure proper governance of the Association. As has been the norm, the EXCOM meets twice every year. It was full house as the Central Bank of Kenya hosted the 88th AFRACA EXCOM meeting in Nairobi with all sub-regional chairpersons represented. In her opening statement, the Chairperson made note of the expanded membership of EXCOM which now includes representatives from smaller institutions under the new governing principle that seeks to...

In collaboration with the Banque de la République du Burundi (BRB)  the African Rural & Agricultural Crédit Association (AFRACA) jointly organized the Regional Conference on Financial & Agricultural Risk Management on New Trends & Development in Managing Agricultural Risks in a Post-pandemic COVID era on the 27-28 March 2023 at the Zion Hotel  in Bujumbura, Burundi. The meeting was officially opened by the Mr. Dieudonné MURENGERANTWARI, Governor of la Banque de la République du Burundi (BRB). A total of 100 participants attended...

At the start of the year, AFRACA Secretary General Mr. Thomas Essel paid a courtesy call to the newly appointed BoT Governor, Emmanuel Tutuba. During the visit Mr. Essel congratulated the Governor on his recent appointment. Mr. Tutuba becomes the eighth governor to take charge of BoT. Prior to his new role, Mr. Tutuba was the permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning.  During the visit, the Governor reiterated his support to AFRACA and his priority areas of focus...

The INCiTiS-FOOD project is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. The project brings together 24 partners across 14 countries in Europe and Africa mainly from Academia. INCiTiS-FOOD aims to improve food and nutrition security in African city regions, develop sustainable food systems and reduce the environmental footprint. To achieve these goals, the project will identify best- fit agri-food technologies, practices, and novel business models focused on soilless crop farming, recirculating aquaculture systems, and insect farming. The...

Digital financial platforms are an essential part of the digitalization agenda developed to enhance financial inclusion in developing countries. AFRACA continued with its digital transformation agenda by hosting the inaugural DIG4RAF Practitioner-led training Workshop at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, 20 -24th March 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. By bringing together key practitioners and partners in space, the training workshop took a deep dive into some of the promising and emerging approaches in the rural and agricultural finance landscape. The main objective was...