Mary Mutugi

Kenyan fintech pioneer revolutionizing agricultural finance through FarmDrive

Mary Mutugi is a visionary entrepreneur whose work through FarmDrive has transformed access to financial services for smallholder farmers across Africa. Founded in 2015 but gaining significant traction post-2020, her company pioneered alternative credit scoring systems using mobile money transaction data, enabling farmers previously excluded from traditional banking systems to secure loans. This innovation has impacted over 50,000 farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, increasing crop yields by an average of 30% and doubling incomes for participating households.

Mutugi's approach combines cutting-edge technology with deep cultural understanding, creating mobile apps that provide not just loans but also agricultural training and market linkages. Her work has been featured in World Economic Forum articles and recognized by the African Development Bank's 2022 Financial Inclusion Award. She regularly speaks at global forums like the Stanford Social Innovation Summit, advocating for inclusive fintech solutions.