Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has partnered with Imfuyo, a Kenyan agri-fintech company, to accelerate agricultural transformation through joint work in data systems, farmer finance, and technology-driven innovation.
The partnership targets key pressure points in Kenya’s agricultural value chains connecting research with practical field applications, boosting farmer visibility through data, and expanding access to financial services for livestock producers.
Imfuyo builds digital tools that enable farmers to track productivity, access credit, and make better-informed decisions. Its mission to unlock value for rural economies aligns with JKUAT’s strong foundation in applied agricultural research, innovation support, and capacity building.
The collaboration will be anchored in the College of Pure and Applied Sciences, under the Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics, providing a strong base for data science and digital modeling to support the initiative.
The Founder and CEO of Imfuyo, Bernard Njathi, together with his team, visited JKUAT on July 3, 2025, to discuss the rollout of the program. The Imfuyo team was received by the Dean of the School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Prof. Anthony Waititu, the Chair of the Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Dr. Lewis Nyaga, among other faculty members.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Waititu emphasized that integrating industry players into academia marks a pivotal step toward delivering holistic education rooted in real-world relevance.
“This MoU is a synergistic partnership and bringing Imfuyo on board enables the University to gain direct insights from the industry,” said Prof. Waititu.
He affirmed that JKUAT continues to foster an enabling environment where both local and international collaborations thrive. He added that the University is keen to incorporate fresh, industry-driven ideas into academic practice.
Dr. Nyaga said the partnership will provide students with an opportunity to test classroom theories through industry practice.
He stated that the commercialization of university innovations cannot be overemphasized, especially during a period of widespread financial constraints. He added that the partnership would strategically leverage the expertise within his faculty particularly in developing mathematical algorithms for data collection to enhance the program’s effectiveness and long-term success.
Mr. Njathi echoed Dr. Nyaga’s sentiments, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of the partnership should be the development of a commercially viable and profitable venture with tangible impact on society.
The initial focus will be on collaborative research and field pilots, student engagement in digital agriculture, knowledge exchange between academic and industry experts, and the development of data-informed tools that support inclusive growth.
