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Orient Enterprises secures $1 million from Barka Fund for macadamia processing
Kenyan macadamia processor Orient Enterprises has received $1 million from Barka Fund, split between preferred equity and a working capital loan, to upgrade its plant.
By Propel Africa · 2026-07-29
Orient Enterprises, a Kenyan macadamia processor and exporter, has secured $1 million from Barka Fund, Innovation Village reported on 29 July. The deal is a hybrid split evenly between $500,000 in preferred equity and a $500,000 structured working capital loan. Barka is an Abidjan-based impact investment vehicle focused on climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.
What Orient does
The company turns raw macadamia nuts into packaged products under its Orient Chef brand, including vacuum-sealed raw kernels, macadamia oil and gourmet flavoured kernels. It runs a processing facility in Juja, Kiambu County, and sells to leading retailers in Kenya as well as export clients in Europe, North America and Asia. Rajiv Pandya is founder and CEO.
Traction and plans
Orient reported revenue of $1.2 million in 2025 and works with a growing network of local smallholder farmers. It completed Barka's structured investment-readiness programme before the investment. The funds will go towards upgrading core processing infrastructure, scaling working capital and expanding an integrated agroforestry initiative across Kenya. Rekia Foudel is managing partner at Barka Fund.
At a glance
- Company: Orient Enterprises
- Raised: $1 million
- Round: $500,000 preferred equity and $500,000 working capital loan
- Investor: Barka Fund
- Founder and CEO: Rajiv Pandya
- Markets: Kenya, with exports to Europe, North America and Asia
- Key figure: $1.2 million revenue in 2025