In 2022, Hello Tractor Kenya Ltd., an agricultural tech company planned to launch its Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) model but needed a comprehensive dashboard to manage the system. This dashboard would streamline operations, manage payments, and offer data-driven insights to optimize tractor usage and farmer services. The Impact for Northern Kenya Fund (INK Fund), a $30 million impact investment vehicle, through its “Bridge to Investability” Window provided Hello Tractor with pre-investment technical assistance to design, test and launch the dashboard.
The INK Fund subsequently provided $750,000 in debt financing to facilitate Hello Tractor’s growth across Kenya. Using these funds, Hello Tractor financed 22 tractors for independent tractor operators, and established mechanization hubs in Kisumu and Busia. These hubs offer farmers access to tractors, farm equipment, and agricultural services, aiming to enhance farm productivity and profitability, particularly for smallholder farmers.
In late 2024, Hello Tractor introduced a training program aimed at onboarding more women as tractor operators, an initiative designed to foster inclusivity and sustainability within the sector. This program teaches women participants to operate tractors, manage finances, and develop entrepreneurial skills for success in mechanized farming. Jehiel Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of Hello Tractor, highlighted the significance of these initiatives for both financial and socio-economic reasons. He noted, “There is a positive correlation between gender and repayment.”
