Selu Africa Limited announced a KSh13 billion investment over the next three years to enlarge maize production at its Galana-Kulalu farm, with financing provided by Equity Bank.
The farm, situated on a 20,000-acre parcel in Kilifi County, has grown its cultivated area from 500 acres in 2025 to 2,000 acres this year and aims for yields above nine tonnes per hectare.
Yields of up to 35 bags per acre have been recorded using irrigation and precision-farming techniques.
Founder and chairman Peter Njonjo said the operation relies on irrigation sprinklers, agricultural drones, renewable energy and data collection to guide crop production and input use.
Equity Bank said the loan supports commercial farming projects as part of its effort to raise food output and cut Kenya’s reliance on imports.
Managing director Moses Nyabanda noted that Kenya spends “hundreds of billions of shillings annually importing food. That gap is our opportunity,” and added that the bank aims for agriculture to represent 30 per cent of its loan book under the Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The lender also indicated that its financing extends to businesses linked to farming, including input suppliers, transporters and produce traders.
Agriculture contributes about 23 per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product, while the country spends billions of shillings each year on food imports.
The Galana-Kulalu project collaborates with agricultural companies AGCO, Campo and Bayer AG, and receives research support from LEAF Africa.
Expansion is expected to increase demand for workers in farm operations, machinery, agronomy, transport and processing, with some local staff already gaining experience in irrigation, pest control and fertilizer application.
