Kilimo Trust is a leading not-for-profit organization committed to transforming agribusiness across Eastern Africa into a powerful tool for wealth creation, food and nutrition security, and sustainable livelihoods. Founded in 2005, Kilimo Trust has its headquarters in Uganda and operates through subsidiaries and partners in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Over the past 20 years, Kilimo Trust has built a reputation for market-led agricultural development by working closely with smallholder farmers, agribusinesses, government agencies, and civil society. Initially established as a research and grant-making organization, it supported farmer institutions, government research organizations like the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) of Uganda, processors, and financial institutions to connect science with farming communities. From 2011 onward, Kilimo Trust transitioned to direct project implementation along agricultural value chains to better serve farmers and agribusinesses.

The organization uses a Consortium Approach to Value Chain Development, engaging farmers, lead firms, input suppliers, and service providers to build sustainable and competitive agricultural markets. Kilimo Trust integrates climate-resilient agriculture, gender inclusion, and youth empowerment into all its projects, ensuring that women, youth, and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) actively participate in agribusiness value chains.

Kilimo Trust’s impact spans multiple areas, including improving agricultural productivity, market access, structured trade, and financial literacy. By June 2024, it had directly supported over 709,000 farmers, facilitated the trade of more than 670,000 metric tons of food staples, leveraged USD 63 million in investments, created over 6,300 jobs, and nurtured 468 high-potential SMEs, including youth- and women-owned businesses.

Its strategic focus for 2023–2028 emphasizes sustainable livelihoods, resilient communities, and structured regional trade in agricultural products, with a goal to raise at least USD 10 million annually to drive initiatives that promote food security, income growth, and long-term community resilience across Eastern Africa.