Equity Bank Kenya has signed a €30 million (KES 4.6 billion) financing agreement with Italy’s national development bank, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the agricultural sector.
The agreement was signed on April 20, 2026, during the Italy-Kenya Business Forum in Rome, organized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) in partnership with the Kenyan authorities, alongside the official visit of President William Ruto.
The deal, which is part of the Transforming and Empowering Resilient and Responsible Agribusiness (TERRA) programme, promoted by CDP, is set to expand Equity Bank Kenya’s credit portfolio to small holder farmers and MSMEs across the livestock, leather and coffee value chains.
“The initiative aims to help smallholder farmers expand production, improve product quality, and reach international markets. By focusing on practical support rather than just financing, it seeks to strengthen farmers’ incomes and build more stable, sustainable livelihoods,” said Equity Bank Kenya Via X.
Equity Bank and CDP MoU
In addition, Equity Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti CEO Dario Scannapieco, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote trade between Italian and Kenyan Companies. The MoU aims to expand bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries in strategic sectors.
“The Memorandum of Understanding and the financing in favour of Equity Bank, within the TERRA programme, represent a concrete step in support of SMEs and the development of sustainable value chains, helping to generate positive economic, social, and environmental impacts,” said Dario Scannapieco.
Also Read: Equity Bank Leads Kenya’s MSME Lending Push, Industry Doubles Annual Target
