KCB Bank Kenya has secured a US$100 million (approximately KSh12.9 billion) financing facility from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) aimed at expanding credit access to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The agreement prioritizes support for women- and youth-led businesses, which will receive 35% of the funds, while 30% is designated for green investments. These include projects adopting climate-smart technologies and sustainable business practices.
This marks the EBRD's first financial sector investment in Kenya, reflecting a commitment to fostering private sector growth and facilitating the country's transition to a greener economy.
Strategic Focus
- Women and Youth Empowerment: The funding aims to enhance opportunities for these groups, seen as vital for Kenya's economic future.
- Green Investments: Support for renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and other environmentally sustainable projects aligns with Kenya's climate goals.
- Technical Assistance: EBRD will provide KCB with training and advisory services to strengthen its green lending portfolio.
KCB Managing Director Annastacia Kimtai emphasized that this facility will improve the bank’s capacity to offer affordable credit to underserved small businesses, furthering existing initiatives such as the Female-Led & Made Enterprises programme and ongoing green financing efforts.
By March 2026, KCB had already disbursed over KSh156 billion to women entrepreneurs and KSh48.8 billion towards green projects, alongside extending KSh13 billion in new credit to MSMEs, underscoring strong demand for business financing.
