Apollo Agriculture Kenya: Farm Inputs, Loans & Contacts

Apollo Agriculture is a Nairobi-based agricultural technology company that provides financing, farming inputs, insurance and training to small-scale farmers.

The company uses mobile technology, remote sensing, agricultural data and machine-learning systems to assess applications and manage agricultural financing.

Apollo serves farmers in Kenya and Zambia and works through field agents, agrodealers and digital platforms rather than relying entirely on conventional bank branches.

About Apollo Agriculture

Apollo Agriculture was established in 2016 by Eli Pollak, Benjamin Njenga and Earl St Sauver.

The founders created the business to help small-scale farmers obtain the inputs, financing and information needed to operate more productive commercial farms.

Apollo describes itself as a technology company based in Nairobi with operations serving farmers in Kenya and Zambia. It has offices in three countries and team members working across 11 countries.

Its current offering includes financing, quality agricultural products, farmer training and insurance. The company has also expanded beyond seasonal crop packages to support a wider range of year-round farming requirements, including crop cultivation and animal husbandry.

Apollo Agriculture Company Profile

Apollo’s public website identifies Benjamin Njenga as a co-founder and chief commercial officer. The listing should avoid naming Eli Pollak as the current chief executive unless Apollo directly confirms that title on an up-to-date leadership page.

What Apollo Agriculture Offers

Apollo provides agricultural products and financial support intended to help farmers establish or expand their farming activities.

Its services include:

• Farm-input packages
• Agricultural financing
• Seeds and fertilizer
• Products for crop cultivation
• Products for animal husbandry
• Agricultural insurance
• Remote farmer training
• Agronomic advice
• Field-agent support
• Agrodealer distribution
• Mobile payment options
• Credit assessment using technology

The exact product available to a farmer depends on location, farming activity, application results and Apollo’s current product catalogue.

Farm Inputs on Credit

Eligible farmers can obtain farming products through a repayment loan rather than paying the entire cost upfront.

Apollo’s current farmer platform advertises a selection of agricultural products available either for cash or through manageable repayment financing.

Products may include:

• Certified seeds
• Fertilizer
• Crop-protection products
• Livestock-related products
• Other approved farming supplies

The package offered is not identical for every customer. It may depend on:

• The farmer’s location
• Farm size
• Crop or livestock activity
• Seasonal timing
• Products stocked by participating agrodealers
• Application assessment
• Previous Apollo repayment history

Farmers should review the product quantities, total repayment amount and repayment deadline before accepting a package.

Farmer Loan Requirements

Apollo’s official loan FAQ identifies several basic requirements.

An applicant generally needs:

• An original national identity card or Huduma card
• A mobile phone using a Safaricom-registered line
• Access to a farm, whether owned or leased
• A farm located in a ward currently served by Apollo

For married applicants, Apollo’s FAQ states that the spouse’s original identification may also be required.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee approval. Apollo may conduct further verification and assess the application under its lending criteria.

How to Apply

Farmers can begin the application process through an Apollo agent or the farmer registration option on the company’s official website.

The usual process may involve:

1. Confirming that Apollo operates in the farmer’s ward.
2. Connecting with an authorised Apollo agent.
3. Providing identity and contact information.
4. Identifying the farm location.
5. Marking or verifying the farm.
6. Selecting the relevant farming products.
7. Completing the financing assessment.
8. Paying the required initial contribution after approval.
9. Collecting approved inputs from a participating agrodealer.

Farmers should not make payments to an agent’s personal number unless Apollo’s official process specifically directs them to do so.

Field-Marking Fee

Apollo’s farmer information states that a new applicant may be asked to pay a KSh100 field-marking fee.

The fee supports the agent’s work in locating and marking the farm during registration.

Farmers should confirm that the payment request is genuine and obtain confirmation through Apollo’s official payment channel.

Initial Deposit

Apollo’s FAQ states that approved farmers generally pay an initial contribution equal to 10% of the total approved loan value.

For example, a farmer approved for a KSh10,000 package would make an initial payment of KSh1,000 before collecting the inputs.

The farmer should confirm the exact deposit shown in the approval message because individual products and terms may differ.

M-Pesa Paybill

Apollo’s official FAQ provides the following payment instructions:

M-Pesa Paybill: 874955

Account number: Farmer’s full national ID number

The farmer should enter the identification number belonging to the person whose Apollo account is being paid.

Before entering an M-Pesa PIN, customers should:

• Confirm the business name shown by M-Pesa
• Check the paybill number carefully
• Use the correct farmer identification number
• Confirm the amount
• Retain the M-Pesa confirmation message
• Avoid sending funds to personal numbers

Repayment Period

Apollo’s FAQ states that repayment commonly runs for between six and nine months, with terms extending up to 12 months in selected regions or for specific products.

The actual repayment deadline should appear in the farmer’s agreement or account information.

Farmers should not rely on a general website summary when their personal contract provides different dates.

Minimum Monthly Payment

Apollo states that some loans require a minimum monthly payment, described as “min-pay.”

Its FAQ says the minimum payment is normally 2% of the total loan amount, payable by the final day of each month.

This minimum contribution does not necessarily replace the final repayment obligation. Farmers must still pay the full amount by the contractual deadline.

Late-Payment Charges

Apollo’s published FAQ states that failure to make the required minimum payment may result in a daily charge equal to 0.07% of the outstanding principal balance.

Because this is a financial obligation, farmers should read the current agreement carefully and ask the agent to explain:

• Total package price
• Initial contribution
• Monthly minimum
• Final due date
• Late-payment charges
• Consequences of default
• Complaint process

Terms may be updated, so the signed or digitally accepted agreement should be treated as the governing document.

Interest and Total Cost

Apollo’s FAQ states that interest and service charges are included in the total price of the approved input or loan package.

It gives the example that a KSh10,000 approved loan remains KSh10,000 for the agreed loan duration, subject to late-payment or other contractual consequences.

Farmers should compare:

• Cash price of the products
• Total credit price
• Deposit required
• Repayment period
• Late charges
• Insurance cost
• Any agent or field-marking fee

This makes it easier to understand the real cost of obtaining the products through financing.

Agricultural Insurance

Apollo states that insurance forms part of its wider farmer-support offering.

However, the original listing’s statement that all insurance is provided through APA Insurance should be updated or qualified unless Apollo confirms that APA remains the insurer for the current product and season.

Insurance details can change by:

• Country
• Season
• Farming activity
• Product
• Insurer
• Region
• Type of loss covered

Farmers should ask for the applicable policy or benefit summary before accepting financing.

Important questions include:

• What risks are covered?
• Is drought covered?
• Is excessive rainfall covered?
• Are pests or diseases covered?
• How is a loss measured?
• Is insurance automatic?
• Is the premium included in the package?
• How does a farmer report a claim?
• How long does claim settlement take?

Insurance does not necessarily protect against every cause of crop failure or financial loss.

Agricultural Advice and Training

Apollo provides remote training and educational support to farmers.

Its FAQ specifically mentions guidance on:

• Harvesting
• Drying crops after harvest
• Correct storage after drying

Apollo’s broader model also uses technology and field support to provide agricultural information suited to farmers’ activities.

Advice may be delivered through agents, mobile messages, digital tools or other training channels.

Does Apollo Buy Farmers’ Produce?

Apollo’s current FAQ says it does not presently provide a market for farmers’ produce.

The company instead provides training on harvesting, drying and proper storage.

The phrase “from seed to sale” describes Apollo’s broader mission, but it should not be interpreted as a guarantee that Apollo will purchase or find buyers for every customer’s harvest.

Farmers remain responsible for arranging their own buyers unless Apollo introduces and confirms a specific market-access product.

Use of Technology

Apollo uses technology to support farmer assessment, operations and agricultural advice.

Its model includes:

• Remote sensing
• Satellite-derived information
• Agronomic machine learning
• Mobile-phone tools
• Digital farmer records
• Crop monitoring
• Automated credit assessment
• Data-supported training

Apollo says these systems help it assess credit, monitor crops and provide support to farmers in Kenya and Zambia.

A farmer’s approval is not based only on satellite images. Identity, farm location, product availability and other eligibility information may also be considered.

Apollo Agents

Apollo works with local agents who register and support farmers.

Prospective agents can apply through the Apollo Agent application. The company instructs applicants to download its agent app and register using details such as their name, telephone number, ward and county.

Agents may help with:

• Farmer registration
• Farm marking
• Product selection
• Application support
• Input collection information
• Repayment guidance
• Farmer follow-up

An authorised agent should never ask a farmer to disclose an M-Pesa PIN, mobile-money security code or other confidential credentials.

Apollo Agrodealer Network

Apollo distributes products through local agricultural businesses.

Its official website states that more than 1,000 agrodealers participate in the network.

Participating agrodealers help Apollo:

• Stock agricultural products
• Serve farmers closer to their farms
• Distribute approved packages
• Support local rural businesses
• Reduce the distance farmers travel to collect inputs

Agrodealers interested in participating can apply through Apollo’s official agrodealer registration form.

Areas Served

Apollo serves farmers in Kenya and Zambia, but it does not publish a simple permanent list of every supported Kenyan county on its main website.

The original fixed list of Nakuru, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Embu, Meru, Kakamega and Uasin Gishu may be incomplete or outdated.

Service availability is normally determined at ward level.

Farmers should use Apollo’s agent-connection or registration tool to establish whether their ward is covered. Apollo’s own FAQ states that a farm must be located in a ward the company serves.

Number of Farmers Served

The original listing says Apollo has served more than 200,000 farmers.

That figure should not be presented as the latest total.

A more recent Apollo and AFFM presentation stated that more than 400,000 farmers had been financed, with a total loan portfolio of approximately KSh8 billion. However, Apollo’s main website does not currently publish a definitive cumulative total.

A safer directory description is:

“Apollo has financed hundreds of thousands of small-scale farmers in Kenya and Zambia.”

This avoids freezing a fast-changing number while still representing the scale of the business accurately.

AFFM Fertilizer Programme

In November 2023, the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism announced support for an Apollo programme intended to improve access to fertilizer in Kenya.

The package consisted of:

• A $2 million partial trade-credit guarantee
• A $219,000 grant

The programme was intended to help Apollo obtain fertilizer on credit and provide it to small-scale farmers.

The original description of a single “$2.2 million partnership” is directionally close but should explain the guarantee and grant separately.

Investment and Funding

Apollo has received financing from venture-capital firms, development-finance institutions and impact investors.

Its official news page reported a $10 million investment from Swedfund and ImpactConnect in January 2024.

In May 2026, Apollo also raised KSh276 million in local-currency debt through a securitisation-backed structure to finance agricultural inputs for nearly 24,000 Kenyan smallholder farmers.

The original “$16.9 million total funding” figure should be removed because it does not reflect every type of equity, debt, guarantee or grant and is likely no longer current.

Apollo Customer Care

Apollo’s official contact page publishes the following number for farmers who already have a loan:

0800 722 950

The line is described specifically as customer service for existing Apollo borrowers.

Apollo’s official Facebook profile also lists:

[email protected]

New applicants should use the farmer registration or agent connection option rather than assuming the existing-customer helpline processes every application.

Office Address

The original listing identifies 331 Brookside Drive in Westlands as Apollo’s head office.

Apollo’s current public contact page does not display that physical address. A current legal-entity record instead identifies a Westlands address at Kalamu House on Grevillea Grove.

Because corporate mailing addresses and operational offices can differ, the directory should list only:

Nairobi, Kenya

A complete visitor address should be added only after Apollo confirms where customers or business visitors are currently received.

Farmers generally do not need to travel to the Nairobi office to apply. Registration is handled through agents and digital channels.

Opening Hours

Apollo does not publish a clear, complete Monday-to-Saturday office schedule on its current public contact page.

The original hours of:

• Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

should therefore not be labelled as officially verified.

A better listing is:

Default and Credit Reporting

Apollo’s FAQ warns that failure to repay may prevent a farmer from receiving another Apollo loan and may result in information being reported to relevant credit reference bureaus.

Farmers facing difficulty should contact Apollo early rather than ignoring payment notices.

They should keep:

• Loan agreements
• Product collection records
• M-Pesa confirmations
• Messages from Apollo
• Agent contact details
• Repayment statements

A farmer who believes an account balance or payment record is incorrect should first raise the issue with Apollo and provide supporting evidence.

Complaints and Grievances

Apollo operates a grievance-reporting form for conduct or activities that may conflict with its mission, policies, terms or code of conduct.

Customers should report issues such as:

• Suspected agent misconduct
• Unrecognised payment demands
• Incorrect loan balances
• Missing payments
• Product-delivery problems
• Misleading information
• Privacy concerns
• Inappropriate treatment

Complaints should include the farmer’s contact details, relevant dates and payment evidence, but should never include an M-Pesa PIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Apollo Agriculture provide?

Apollo provides farm inputs, agricultural financing, insurance and training for eligible small-scale farmers.

How do I apply for an Apollo loan?

Use Apollo’s farmer registration tool or connect with an authorised agent operating in your ward.

What documents do I need?

Apollo’s FAQ lists an original national ID or Huduma card, a Safaricom-registered phone line and access to a farm located in a supported ward. Additional documentation may be requested.

Does Apollo require collateral or a guarantor?

Apollo’s FAQ states that no guarantor or traditional security is required for its farmer loan products.

How much deposit is required?

Apollo generally states that an approved farmer pays 10% of the package value before collecting the products.

What is Apollo’s M-Pesa Paybill?

The official FAQ lists Paybill 874955. Use the farmer’s full national ID number as the account reference.

How long is the repayment period?

The published range is generally six to nine months, extending up to 12 months for selected regions or products.

Does Apollo charge interest?

Apollo says the package price includes interest and service charges. Farmers should review their individual agreement for the total amount payable.

Does Apollo insure farmers?

Apollo includes insurance in its farmer offering, but the insurer, covered events and claim terms should be confirmed for the specific package.

Does Apollo buy crops from farmers?

No. Apollo’s current FAQ states that it does not provide a market for farmers’ produce.

Where does Apollo operate?

Apollo serves farmers in Kenya and Zambia. Within Kenya, eligibility is determined according to the wards currently served.

How do I contact customer care?

Existing Apollo borrowers can call the toll-free customer-care line on 0800 722 950.

Is Apollo Agriculture a bank?

No. Apollo is an agricultural technology and financing business. Its product combines agricultural goods, credit, insurance and farmer support.

Can Apollo report an unpaid account to a CRB?

Apollo’s FAQ warns that default may be reported to relevant credit reference bureaus and may affect access to future financing.

Why Farmers Use Apollo Agriculture

Apollo’s model makes agricultural products and financing accessible through local agents, agrodealers and mobile technology.

Its main features include:

• Agricultural inputs on credit
• A 10% initial contribution for approved packages
• Repayment periods designed around agricultural activities
• Insurance included in selected offerings
• Farmer training
• Local agent support
• More than 1,000 participating agrodealers
• Digital and data-based application assessment
• Services for crop and livestock-related activities

Farmers should read their individual agreement carefully, verify all payments through official channels and confirm insurance and repayment conditions before accepting an Apollo package.

For assistance with an existing loan, call 0800 722 950.

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