Equity Group and MSC (MicroSave Consulting) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen financial inclusion and advance gender equity within Kenya’s fisheries sector, a partnership that also positions the blue economy as a key driver of sustainable growth.

The collaboration brings together the financial services strength of Equity Bank Kenya, the social impact and capacity-building expertise of Equity Group Foundation, and the global advisory and research capabilities of MSC to address structural gaps in the fisheries value chain. Speaking during the MoU signing in Nairobi, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi said the partnership aligns with Equity’s long-term vision of transforming livelihoods through inclusive finance, technology, and strategic collaboration.

“This partnership brings together institutions with diverse capabilities, creating a powerful platform to drive impact at scale. The fisheries sector represents a significant but underexploited opportunity. Through this collaboration, we will not only expand financial inclusion but also advance gender equity, strengthen food systems, and support climate resilience,” said Dr. Mwangi.

Dr. Mwangi noted that the initiative will help modernize the fisheries and broader agricultural sectors by integrating digital technologies and data-driven decision-making, positioning them as viable and attractive economic sectors.

“We are transforming agriculture and fisheries from subsistence activities into vibrant economic sectors. By leveraging digital public infrastructure and AI, we aim to elevate these sectors from traditional, informal engagements into modern economic engines that attract capital, improve productivity, and create inclusive opportunities for women to work alongside their sons and daughters while driving food security and economic growth,” he said.

MicroSave Consulting Group Managing Director Graham A.N. Wright said the renewed collaboration comes at a critical time as Africa faces growing challenges around food security, climate change, and inclusion. He added that the partnership will focus on applying data-driven tools and practical digital systems to improve decision-making, strengthen risk management, and support more resilient fisheries livelihoods.

“With climate change and global disruptions threatening food security, I cannot think of a better powerhouse than Equity Bank and the Equity Group Foundation to address these challenges. We aim to create an environment where risks are managed, data is available, and stakeholders, from fishers to traders, can make informed decisions. By linking these communities to tailored financial products and climate-smart solutions, we can address structural barriers and unlock sustainable opportunities for women and youth in the fisheries sector,” Wright said.

The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration focused on fostering a business-oriented mindset in the fisheries sector, promoting financial literacy, and expanding access to tailored financial products for women and youth. Key interventions under the partnership include capacity building through joint training programs, development of climate-smart financial solutions, deployment of technologies such as cold storage infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses, and the creation of insurance and guarantee mechanisms to de-risk lending.

The program will also support graduation pathways to transition small-scale operators into sustainable commercial enterprises, while expanding market access through partnerships across the value chain. Initial implementation will begin in Kenya, with plans to scale to other markets where Equity operates upon successful execution. The initiative targets a wide range of beneficiaries across the fisheries value chain, including fishers, aquaculture farmers, traders, processors, feed producers, and exporters.

The partnership will also support the design and delivery of high-impact programs across key areas such as financial inclusion, climate resilience, and gender equity. Implementation will be guided by clearly defined project frameworks and coordinated mechanisms to ensure effective execution and measurable impact.

MSC will play a key role in research, baseline assessments, and capacity building, including training both sector players and Equity staff on fisheries dynamics, while Equity Bank will design and deliver tailored financial products aligned to the sector’s unique cycles. Equity Group Foundation will complement these efforts through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and ecosystem linkages.

This collaboration aligns closely with Kenya’s Vision 2030 by advancing inclusive economic growth, modernizing the fisheries sector, and promoting gender equity, while contributing to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 through sustainable resource management, climate resilience, and the development of integrated value chains.

The partnership also reinforces Equity’s vision of driving private sector–led development financing across Africa, leveraging its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP) to enhance productivity, digital transformation, and financial inclusion while creating sustainable opportunities for women, youth, and communities in the fisheries value chain.