WORKING TOGETHER
Partners
The organisations building YWAA with us.
The partnership behind YWAA
YWAA is an affiliate of the Aggregator Enhancement Program, delivered by Arabuko Limited in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to train young aggregators and link them to markets. Arabuko helped establish the association in 2023, and our members now work across five counties: Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Kiambu and Nairobi.
Arabuko Limited
Arabuko Limited is a fresh produce aggregation and market access company sourcing from 5,000+ smallholder farmers. For YWAA members it is a route to market: the produce our aggregators consolidate moves to the buyers Arabuko serves. That means training comes attached to a working supply chain — members are prepared for demand that already exists.
Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is Arabuko’s partner in delivering the Aggregator Enhancement Program. The programme serves young women and men aged 18 to 35, including refugees and persons living with disabilities, equipping them with practical skills and market access across the agricultural value chain. To date, 600 aggregators have been trained to consolidate produce for the market.
600
Aggregators trained to date
5
Counties where YWAA members work
7
Value chains covered
2023
YWAA established
What the partnership delivers
Practical training
The AEP curriculum covers climate-smart agriculture, financial planning, value addition, integrated pest management, food safety, export compliance and standards, entrepreneurship and life skills — a one-year commitment, not a one-off workshop.
Market access
Members buy produce from the farmers around them, consolidate it and sell it on to the buyers Arabuko serves. The programme adds market linkages and connections to quality inputs.
The association itself
YWAA is a platform where young women in agriculture meet other aggregators and share what they know — across the five counties where members work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
YWAA is committed to the economic empowerment of African women through their equitable participation in agricultural value chains, fostering positive change in the world.
YWAA recognizes that agricultural growth is a powerful tool to reduce poverty. By focusing on smallholder family farms, especially those led by women, YWAA aims to increase productivity, elevate on-farm incomes, and enhance participation in regional and global value chains
Young women, constituting nearly 50% of the agricultural labor force in sub-Saharan Africa, are pivotal to YWAA’s mission. The organization seeks to address their challenges by increasing productivity, improving access to financing and quality inputs, and fostering participation in global markets.
YWAA welcomes collaboration from individuals and organizations. Whether you’re a farmer, business owner, or potential partner, reach out to us through our “Work With Us” section to explore opportunities.
YWAA collaborates with a diverse set of partners, including global entities and local stakeholders. These partnerships aim to create a conducive business environment, enhance capacity along the horticulture value chain, ensure compliance with market requirements, facilitate marketing efforts, and provide valuable e-learning resources.
Advocacy is one of YWAA’s pillars. The organization influences and advocates for favorable business environments, policies, tariffs, and trade agreements on behalf of its members and the agriculture industry in Kenya.
YWAA focuses on several pillars to achieve its goals, including Advocacy & Lobbying, Capacity Building, Compliance & Standards, Marketing, E-Learning Resources, and Training & Empowering Aggregators. Each pillar plays a crucial role in advancing the economic empowerment of young women in agriculture.
If you are passionate about empowering young women in agriculture and want to contribute to positive change, consider joining YWAA. Explore our “Join Us” section to learn more about membership opportunities and how you can be part of our mission.