Cooperative Bank of Oromia and Rabo Partnerships (RP) have announced the launch of a new digital lending platform designed to transform agricultural finance in Ethiopia. This innovative solution will streamline the loan application process, providing faster and easier access to credit for farmers, particularly smallholders in remote areas.
The platform leverages data analytics and credit insights to simplify loan applications, reduce paperwork, and expedite approval times. Farmers will benefit from instant disbursements, enabling them to quickly purchase essential agricultural inputs like fertilizers, seeds, and crop protection products. This initiative aligns with Coop Bank’s commitment to empowering communities through innovative financial solutions and aims to reach previously unbanked farmers with timely financial support to boost productivity and growth.
The digital lending platform is the result of a collaborative effort between Coop Bank and RP, integrating multiple IT systems into a seamless digital flow. Key features include a user-friendly interface, real-time application tracking, automated credit assessments utilizing remote sensing data, and immediate fund transfers.
This launch builds upon a longstanding 13-year partnership between Coop Bank and Rabo Partnerships. As RP shared two months ago, this collaboration has a shared ambition to serve an additional 3 million farmers within the next three years. The integrated solution focuses on digitizing the agricultural value chain and providing support beyond just financing. This includes creating marketing linkages, offering non-financial services such as access to soil testing equipment, and partnering with agronomists to provide tailored solutions and promote best agricultural practices, prioritizing regenerative agriculture where possible, and industrial fertilizer where needed.
The initiative is expected to benefit Coop Bank by growing its agricultural loan portfolio with a lower cost/income ratio, reduced portfolio risk, increased operational efficiency, and faster loan application turnaround times.
