For many fish farmers and fisheries businesses, practical barriers such as KYC requirements, bank accounts, CRB status and limited access to suitable credit can constrain growth.

The Aquaculture Consortium (TAC)–African Guarantee Fund –Equity Bank Limited Capacity Development and Investment Readiness Programme is designed to address these barriers by strengthening financial readiness and connecting verified farmers and aquaculture micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to business development support and appropriate financing opportunities.

Yesterday, the programme’s field engagement moved to Luanda Kotieno, Rarieda, bringing together TAC, Equity Bank teams, Beach Management Unit (BMU) leadership, Siaya County representatives, farmers and Vemric Fish Processors staff. As TAC’s fish-processing enterprise, Vemric brought the wider value-chain perspective, linking local fish production with processing and markets.

The discussions were practical. Farmers raised questions around KYC requirements, bank accounts and CRB status, while Equity Bank representatives provided guidance, supported account opening and helped reactivate dormant accounts. These are important foundations but onboarding and verified identity alone do not establish creditworthiness.

That requires deeper investment-readiness work. TAC’s technical assistance helps farmers and enterprises assemble the evidence lenders need: verified profiles and field assessments; production plans and operational records; production and sales histories; buyer confirmations, delivery and transaction records; bank statements and management accounts; and, where relevant, cooperative records, contracts, business plans, cash-flow projections and asset quotations. The evidence varies by business and financing need, including input finance and working capital.

Over 12 months, the programme targets USD 2.5 million in financing for 75 MSMEs and a further USD 1.55 million for smallholder farmers, supporting business growth, increased production, stronger market linkages and livelihoods.

Day 1 showed the value of bringing farmers, financial institutions, county leadership, BMUs and value-chain businesses together to address the gaps between enterprise potential and access to capital.

From verification to investment readiness, the work continues.

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