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The International Finance Corporation lends Sh1.6 billion to Star Bright Holdings, fueling a major expansion of flower farms across Kenya and Ethiopia.

The global appetite for Kenyan roses has secured a massive vote of confidence, with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) signing off on a Sh1.6 billion (€11 million) loan to Star Bright Holdings.
This is not just a loan; it is a strategic expansion of East Africa’s floral dominance. Star Bright, a Mauritius-based heavyweight with a footprint of ten farms across Kenya and Ethiopia, is using the war chest to scale up operations in a sector that is the lifeblood of the region's export economy. The investment signals that despite climate change risks and logistical hurdles, the international markets still view East African horticulture as a prime asset class.
The capital injection is split between two distinct strategies. In Kenya, where Star Bright operates seven farms, the focus is likely on efficiency and replanting high-value varieties. In Ethiopia, home to three of its farms, the expansion points to the growing importance of the Ethiopian highlands as a complementary hub to Naivasha. By funding operations in both nations, the IFC is effectively backing a regional integration play, creating a floral giant capable of supplying European supermarkets year-round.
"The loan will fund additional investments in its farms," the brief statement confirmed. This vague corporate speak translates to tangible economic impacts: more jobs in rural areas, increased foreign exchange earnings, and a strengthening of the "flower power" diplomacy that binds Kenya and Europe.
For Kenya, this investment comes at a critical time. The horticulture sector is a key pillar of the President's economic recovery plan, providing crucial dollar inflows to stabilize the shilling. A Sh1.6 billion injection is a direct boost to the country's forex reserves.
As Star Bright prepares to plant its next crop, the message to the market is clear: the business of beauty is booming, and the world is willing to pay for a piece of Kenya’s bloom.
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