Nairobi — Yara International has invested Sh 1 billion in a leadership academy that seeks to benefit more than 500 MSMEs in Kenya that will receive training and capacity-building on how to run sustainable businesses.

The Yara leadership academy will specifically target rural enterprises focused on agriculture as it seeks to equip them with skills in digitization of operations, budgeting, working capital, inventory management, marketing, and growth strategy.

During the first cohort, 500 people will benefit from the four-month program which will prioritize youth- and women-led businesses.

The firm is targeting to enroll 3,500 people by 2030.

William Ngeno Yara Country Manager says that while beneficiaries will not financial support, they will benefit from free training, and mentoring in a bid to increase their turnover and business knowledge.

"We are moving away from aid, donation, and focus on empowerment. Yara is committed to promoting the development of competitive and sustainable micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within Kenya's agricultural sector. "

"Our Leadership Academy's individual mentoring approach will help MSME business owners to better integrate and apply the knowledge they have gained from the Academy into their businesses while harnessing the power of digital technologies to help them build business resiliency and growth," he said.

The firm which has had a presence in Kenya since 1994 says it will bank on enhancing digital inclusion in order to empower millions of farmers who rely on agriculture to sustain their livelihoods.

Some of the key agendas of the program include strengthening food security and improving nutrition, catalyzing innovation and investment, and enhancement of local economic development by strengthening MSMEs

"We want to see MSMEs business growing, it's going to be a catalyst for economic growth. Besides, this is going to enhance food productivity and security in the country with our focus being on the provision of nutritious food to Kenyans," Ng'eno said.