WIA Philanthropy Spotlight: Fiona Njeri Macharia
2026 Young Leader
We are delighted to shine the spotlight on you today, Fiona!
Can you tell us briefly who you are and what you do?
My name is Fiona Njeri Macharia, a Kenyan social entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Kiasili Farm (The Kiasili Basket Limited), where I lead social impact, sustainability, and purpose. I am passionate about transforming Africa’s food systems by combining Indigenous knowledge with innovation to build climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural value chains.
Through Kiasili Farm, I work with smallholder farmers, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities, to improve access to markets, promote Indigenous and traditional food crops, and strengthen livelihoods. Our work also advances regenerative agriculture, sustainable food production, and the development of value-added products such as sprouted sorghum flour.
My vision is to empower African farming communities to thrive economically while preserving Indigenous food heritage and restoring the environment. I believe that investing in local knowledge, women’s leadership, and sustainable agricultural innovation is essential to building a food-secure and resilient Africa.
What inspired you to start your journey or project?
My journey was inspired by my roots. Growing up in Kiambu County, Kenya, as a grandchild of traditional food crop farmers, I witnessed the value of Indigenous foods and farming knowledge in sustaining families and communities. However, I also saw how these food systems were increasingly overlooked, while smallholder farmers, particularly women, struggled with limited access to markets, financing, and agricultural resources.
These experiences inspired me to co-found Kiasili Farm to bridge the gap between Indigenous knowledge and modern agricultural innovation. I wanted to build a model that not only improves farmers’ livelihoods but also restores the dignity of Indigenous crops, strengthens climate resilience, and creates sustainable economic opportunities for underserved communities.
Today, our work includes supporting farmers, promoting sprouted sorghum value chains, and advancing regenerative agricultural practices. For me, this journey is deeply personal: it is about honouring my heritage while creating a future where African farmers can prosper, Indigenous food systems thrive, and communities become more resilient to climate change.
What are the key achievements or milestones you’re most proud of?
One of my proudest achievements is building Kiasili Farm into a growing social enterprise that connects Indigenous food systems with sustainable economic opportunities. We have directly supported over 80 smallholder farmers and conducted a needs assessment involving nearly 3,800 additional farmers, demonstrating significant demand for solutions that address the challenges facing farming communities.
I am particularly proud of pioneering and advancing the sprouted sorghum value chain, creating opportunities to add value to an indigenous crop while improving market access for farmers. Our product has undergone independent laboratory testing, an important milestone towards strengthening product quality and expanding market opportunities. We have also built partnerships and gained recognition through initiatives such as the beVisioneers Fellowship, the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, and AGRA’s Value4Her initiative.
Above all, I am proud that our work is rooted in the belief that African farmers should be active participants in shaping the future of food systems. Every farmer engaged, Indigenous crop promoted, and market opportunity developed brings us closer to a more inclusive, climate-resilient, and food-secure Africa.
Can you share with us one personal quote or belief that guides you?
Rooted in heritage, rising through innovation—Africa feeds the future.
What advice would you give to other young women who want to create impact?
My advice to young women who want to create impact is to start with what they know, the problems they care about, and the communities they understand. You do not need to have all the answers, significant resources, or a perfect plan to begin. Start small, listen to the people you want to serve, and allow their experiences to shape your solutions.
What are you currently working on or planning next?
Our next step is advancing Kiasili Sorghum Intelligence (KSI), a data-driven solution designed to strengthen sorghum value chains by improving farmer traceability, production data, and access to markets and finance. Through KSI, we aim to bridge the information gap that often prevents smallholder farmers from accessing appropriate financial services and reliable market opportunities.
We are working towards building a system that captures reliable farmer and production data, enabling financial institutions and value-chain partners to make better-informed decisions on agricultural lending, while helping farmers become more visible and bankable.
How can people support or follow your work?
People can support and follow my work through Kiasili Farm, where we are building inclusive, climate-resilient food systems and advancing Kiasili Sorghum Intelligence (KSI) to improve farmer traceability, market access, and agricultural financing.
You can support us by connecting us with potential partners, impact investors, financial institutions, agricultural organisations, and development programmes interested in Indigenous food systems, regenerative agriculture, and inclusive agricultural finance. We also welcome collaborations that can help us pilot and scale KSI to benefit more smallholder farmers across Africa.
Follow our journey and connect with us through:
Kiasili Social Handles
Fiona Njeri Macharia
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