The Association of Microfinance Institutions Kenya (AMFI-K) hosted its inaugural Inclusive Finance Industry Awards (IFIA) on August 14, 2026, in Nairobi, bringing together over 200 stakeholders from financial institutions, government, regulators, investors, and technology firms.
Focus on MSME Financing
Principal Secretary Susan Mang'eni of the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development emphasised the need for improved and coordinated financing solutions for MSMEs. She highlighted the sector's pivotal role in Kenya’s economy and job creation, urging financial inclusion efforts to enable small businesses to access affordable credit and scale operations.
"Microfinance institutions are essential in helping Kenyans traditionally excluded from mainstream banking to build credit histories and access higher levels of credit without collateral," Mang'eni stated, underlining the critical role these institutions play in expanding financial access.
Awards Recognising Industry Excellence
The awards covered 16 categories recognising outstanding achievements in various areas such as digital financial inclusion, SME finance, agricultural finance, women’s economic empowerment, and youth inclusion. An independent jury from MicroSave, FSD Kenya, and Musyimi and Co ensured impartial evaluation of submissions, with AMFI-K acting only as the secretariat.
Caroline Karanja, AMFI-K CEO, described the event as a milestone in redefining financial inclusion beyond mere access, focusing on enabling meaningful economic participation and resilience for individuals and enterprises.
Looking Ahead
The successful turnout and involvement of seven sponsors signal growing commitment within the sector. AMFI-K plans to make the Inclusive Finance Industry Awards an annual event aimed at fostering continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and collaboration across Kenya's financial inclusion ecosystem.
