Business · Economy · 2 days ago
eSusFarm uses farm data to help banks assess smallholder farmers
Banks often rely on regular monthly incomes to judge whether someone can repay a loan.
Many smallholder farmers earn money seasonally, so standard banking methods may not fit their needs.
eSusFarm Africa collects information about farms and farming conditions to help assess risk.
Better information could make it easier for banks to consider financing farmers.
eSusFarm Africa uses farm-related information to help banks assess risk and make financial decisions about smallholder farmers.
Founder Watson Matsa says banks often lack information about farmers’ soil, climate, crops and finances.
The company aims to build ongoing risk management for smallholder farmers, which Matsa says is generally lacking.
Matsa previously worked in credit analytics at FNB and studied economics and accounting at Rhodes University.
- Who
- eSusFarm Africa, founded by Watson Matsa.
- What
- It gathers farm-related information to help banks assess smallholder farmers and make financial decisions.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Not stated. Matsa was interviewed in Nairobi.
- Why
- Matsa says there is not enough information about small farmers for capital to flow to them.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
There isn’t enough information flowing fairly for capital to flow.
Banks, he says, are built around the neatness of a salary arriving every month.
Perhaps, he suggests, farmers are not the problem. Banking is simply too rigid.
Matsa encountered the idea that information can unlock capital and began considering the lack of information in Africa.
Matsa worked in credit analytics at FNB, on projects aimed at improving credit scoring.
Matsa and his co-founder applied the idea to agriculture and started eSusFarm Africa.
Matsa spoke about farmers and banks at the Somerset Westview Hotel in Nairobi.
- Founder
- Watson Matsa
- Company
- eSusFarm Africa
- University
- Rhodes University
- Former employer
- FNB
- Farm data identified
- Soil, climate, farmer-reported and crop information
Sources
Related news
Investment-linked policy sales rise as complaints increase in Singapore
Singapore Exchange urged to do more for small and mid-cap trading
ADX plans Vienna Basin production work and deeper gas testing in Austria
Azzuro Resources discusses Mongolia exploration, with Red Hill in focus
Banque du Caire to offer 30% stake in Egypt IPO
Telefónica and KKR put Chilean fiber company OnNet up for sale
Egypt’s core annual inflation fell to 14.1% in September
Global demand for Philippine ube outpaces growers’ supply
UAE economy grows 0.4% in first half of 2026 as non-oil sectors expand
US bank results and inflation data put markets to the test
PCF Sparkletots to spend S$20 million on staff development over three years
