Betty Wambui

A Kenyan AI developer who created FarmDrive, an AI platform revolutionizing access to credit and agricultural productivity for small-scale farmers

Betty Wambui is a groundbreaking Kenyan technologist and founder of FarmDrive, an AI-driven fintech platform that has transformed financial inclusion for smallholder farmers across East Africa. Born in 1990 in Nyeri County, Wambui's early exposure to agricultural challenges motivated her to pursue computer science at the University of Nairobi. Her 2021-launched FarmDrive system uses machine learning algorithms to analyze satellite imagery, weather data, and crop performance metrics to create credit profiles for farmers traditionally excluded from formal banking systems.

By 2023, FarmDrive had facilitated over $12 million in loans to 15,000 farmers, with repayment rates exceeding 95%. The platform's innovative scoring system considers non-traditional factors like irrigation practices and crop diversity, enabling farmers to access loans without collateral. Wambui's work has been featured in World Economic Forum reports and recognized with the 2022 African Tech Awards' Social Impact Prize. Her approach combines precision agriculture techniques with financial innovation, creating a replicable model now adopted in Rwanda and Uganda.

In 2024, Wambui launched FarmDrive's Climate Resilience Module, using predictive analytics to help farmers adapt to climate change patterns. This system has increased crop yields by an average of 30% for participating farmers. Wambui's TEDx talk "How AI is Feeding Africa" has garnered over 2 million views, showcasing her vision of tech-driven agricultural transformation. Her work exemplifies how artificial intelligence can be harnessed for social good in developing economies.

Wambui's impact extends beyond technology - she mentors 50+ young women in tech through the FarmDrive Academy, addressing gender disparities in Kenya's tech sector. In 2025, she partnered with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to scale her platform across 10 African countries, potentially impacting millions more farmers. This visionary leader proves that localized tech solutions can create systemic change in global food security.