Reflections On Our Recent Ashoka Visionary Program Graduation

By Bernard Njathi, Founder and CEO of Imfuyo

As I reflect on our recent graduation from the prestigious Ashoka Visionary Program, I’m filled with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the future. Over the past seven months, our team at Imfuyo has undergone an incredible journey of growth and learning, emerging stronger and more focused in our mission to revolutionize agri-finance in Africa.

The Ashoka Experience: A Crucible for Innovation

The Ashoka Visionary Program 2024


When we first joined the Ashoka Visionary Program, I anticipated an intensive experience, but I couldn’t have predicted just how transformative it would be. Ashoka, a global leader in social entrepreneurship since 1980, has crafted a program that truly nurtures changemakers like us.

Mr. Bernard Njathi, Founder and CEO of Imfuyo, attentively engaged in the Ashoka Visionary Program, absorbing insights and exploring impactful solutions for agri-fin-tech innovation in Africa

As an early-stage agri-fin-tech social enterprise, Imfuyo found itself in a cohort of visionaries from across Africa. Our peers from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan brought diverse perspectives that challenged and expanded our thinking. The cross-pollination of ideas during our sessions was invaluable, offering insights into the unique challenges and innovative solutions being developed across the continent.

Ecstatic 2024 Ashoka Visionary Program participants celebrating a transformative journey filled with inspiration, innovation, and impactful solutions!

One memorable moment was during a group discussion when a fellow participant shared their innovative approach to sustainable farming, inspiring us to rethink some of our strategies. Such exchanges fostered a collaborative environment that ignited new ideas and connections.

Ms. Hope Mwanake sharing her inspiring journey and the invaluable role of a social enterprise mindset in creating lasting impact

Aligning with the 3 P’s: People, Planet, and Profit
At the core of Imfuyo’s mission is our unwavering commitment to the 3 P’s: People, Planet, and Profit. This philosophy resonates deeply with us and has been reinforced throughout our Ashoka journey. Here’s how these principles guide our work:

1. People: Our primary focus is on empowering smallholder farmers across Africa. By providing access to innovative financial solutions, we aim to improve livelihoods, enhance food security, and foster community development. The Ashoka program has sharpened our strategies to create meaningful, lasting impacts on the people we serve. For example, we are now piloting a new financial product aimed at increasing access to credit for farmers, which has the potential to uplift entire communities.

2. Planet: We recognize the critical role agriculture plays in environmental stewardship. Through our agri-fin-tech solutions, we’re promoting sustainable farming practices, supporting climate-resilient agriculture, and contributing to the long-term health of our planet. The systems thinking approach we learned has been instrumental in developing holistic solutions that benefit both farmers and the environment.

3. Profit: As a social enterprise, we understand that financial sustainability is key to scaling our impact. The Ashoka program has equipped us with tools to refine our business model, ensuring we can generate sufficient profit to grow our operations while staying true to our social and environmental missions. This balance is crucial for creating lasting change in the agricultural sector.

Imfuyo and CEO Bernard Njathi proudly receiving their certificate of completion at the Ashoka Visionary Program, marking a milestone in their journey toward transformative social impact

The 3 P’s aren’t just a framework for us; they’re the very essence of how we operate and the change we seek to create in African agriculture.

A Curriculum That Reshapes Thinking
The program’s curriculum was nothing short of revolutionary for us. Here’s how key modules reshaped our approach:

  1. New Leadership: This module pushed me to redefine my role as a leader. I learned to embrace adaptive leadership, a crucial skill in the ever-changing landscape of social entrepreneurship and agri-tech.
Bernard Njathi delivering an insightful presentation on the ‘3 P’s’ at the Ashoka Visionary Program, highlighting key principles for driving impactful social change

2. Systems Change: Perhaps the most eye-opening module for me, it provided us with tools to view agricultural challenges not as isolated problems but as part of larger systemic issues. This perspective has been game-changing for how we approach solutions at Imfuyo, especially in balancing our 3 P’s.

3. Impact and Business Modeling: Balancing social impact with financial sustainability has always been a tightrope walk. This module provided us with practical frameworks to refine our business model, ensuring we can drive change while building a sustainable organization that truly embodies the 3 P’s.

4. Partnership and Co-creation: We’ve always believed in the power of collaboration, but this module took our understanding to new heights. We’re now exploring partnerships that we never would have considered before, opening exciting possibilities for Imfuyo’s growth and amplifying our impact on people and the planet.

Imfuyo’s Journey: Insights from the Ashoka Visionary Program Panel Discussion

5. Funding and Scaling: As a CEO, this was particularly relevant. We delved into diverse funding strategies and scaling pathways that are already informing our growth plans for the next few years, always with an eye on maintaining our commitment to people, planet, and profit.

6. The Art of Storytelling: I’ve always been passionate about our mission, but this module taught me how to articulate our vision more compellingly. It’s already making a difference in how we communicate our commitment to the 3 P’s in our pitches and stakeholder communications.

Storytelling experts at the Ashoka Visionary Program, sharing powerful techniques to inspire change and amplify impact through compelling narratives

7. Social Entrepreneurship: This overarching theme tied everything together, deepening our understanding of what it truly means to be a social enterprise in today’s world — one that successfully balances people, planet, and profit.

Imfuyo’s Transformation
 The impact on Imfuyo has been profound. We entered the program as an ambitious agri-fin-tech startup, and we’re emerging with a clearer vision, sharper strategies, and a robust network of fellow changemakers. Our commitment to the 3 P’s has been strengthened and refined, providing a solid foundation for our future growth.

Stepping onto the Stage: Bernard Njathi Presents Imfuyo’s Vision for Agri-Finance

For instance, we have already initiated discussions with potential partners to expand our reach and enhance our offerings. Our approach to leveraging technology for financial inclusion in agriculture has been refined and strengthened. We’re now better equipped to articulate our impact, develop scalable models, forge strategic partnerships, and navigate the complex funding landscape for social enterprises — all while staying true to our core values.

Most importantly, we’ve internalized the systems thinking approach, which is reshaping how we address agricultural finance challenges. We’re no longer just looking at immediate problems; we’re considering long-term, systemic solutions that can transform the sector while benefiting people, planet, and profit.

Looking Ahead: Imfuyo’s Role in Shaping African Agriculture
As we apply our learnings from the Ashoka Visionary Program, I’m more confident than ever in Imfuyo’s potential to drive meaningful change. Our enhanced capabilities in technology-driven financial solutions are set to address critical gaps in agricultural financing, potentially transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Africa while promoting sustainable practices and building a resilient business.

This graduation is not an endpoint but a launching pad. We’re now part of the global Ashoka network, connected to changemakers worldwide who are working tirelessly to build a more equitable and sustainable world.

To my fellow participants from across Africa, our mentors, and the Ashoka team: thank you for this incredible journey. The insights, challenges, and collaborations have been invaluable in shaping our approach to the 3 P’s.

As we step into this new chapter, I’m excited for what lies ahead. Imfuyo is ready to play its part in revolutionizing agri-finance in Africa, armed with new perspectives, robust strategies, and an unwavering commitment to creating lasting change that benefits people, nurtures our planet, and generates sustainable profit.

A Heartfelt Thank You to the Ashoka Visionary Team

As we conclude this chapter of our journey, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Ashoka Visionary Team for their unwavering support and dedication throughout the past seven months. Your commitment to fostering social entrepreneurship has empowered us to grow, learn, and transform our vision into actionable strategies. The knowledge and insights you’ve shared have been invaluable, and we are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a dynamic and inspiring community. Thank you for believing in our mission and for equipping us with the tools to create lasting change in Africa.

A big thank you to Ruth Soi for your unwavering support and dedication during the Ashoka Visionary Program! Your efforts made a real impact on our journey!

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Thank you, Vincent Odhiambo, for your insightful guidance and encouragement throughout the program. Your leadership truly inspired us!

Call to Action
We invite readers, stakeholders, and potential partners to join us on this journey. Whether you’re interested in collaborating, investing, or simply learning more about our mission, we welcome your engagement. Together, we can empower African farmers and contribute to a brighter future for our continent.

The future of African agriculture is bright, and at Imfuyo, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. Watch this space — our Ashoka journey may have concluded, but our mission to empower African farmers while championing the 3 P’s is just beginning to accelerate.

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