KCB Bank Kenya has secured a US$100 million EBRD facility to expand MSME lending, with funding targeting women, youth-led businesses, and green investments.
The funding will enable the bank to increase access to affordable credit for businesses across key sectors of the economy, with a strong emphasis on supporting women entrepreneurs, young business owners and environmentally sustainable investments.
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The facility is expected to help address one of the biggest barriers facing Kenyan SMEs, limited access to long-term financing, while encouraging business expansion, innovation and job creation.
Under the financing framework, 35% of the facility has been earmarked for women-and youth-led enterprises, reflecting a shared commitment by KCB and the EBRD to promote inclusive economic participation. A further 30% will finance eligible green investments, enabling businesses to adopt climate-smart technologies, improve energy efficiency and invest in environmentally sustainable projects that contribute to Kenya's transition to a low-carbon economy.
The facility comes at a time when access to finance remains a critical challenge for many MSMEs, despite the sector accounting for a significant share of employment and economic activity in Kenya. By increasing the availability of affordable financing, the partnership is expected to strengthen business resilience, improve productivity and stimulate private sector growth.
Commenting on the agreement, KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director Annastacia Kimtai said the new financing will strengthen the bank's capacity to support SMEs, particularly businesses that have historically struggled to access formal credit.
She noted that KCB remains committed to advancing sustainable finance by increasing investments in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture and other environmentally responsible sectors that create long-term economic value while supporting Kenya's climate ambitions.
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The latest facility builds on KCB Bank's long-standing efforts to strengthen Kenya's entrepreneurial ecosystem through targeted financing programs. Through its Female-Led & Made Enterprises (FLME) initiative, the bank has already disbursed more than KSh156 billion to women-owned businesses, helping female entrepreneurs expand operations, create jobs and improve financial inclusion.
KCB has also emerged as one of Kenya's leading financiers of green projects. Its green financing portfolio now exceeds KSh48.8 billion, supporting investments in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and other climate-focused initiatives that promote environmental resilience while driving economic development.
The bank has continued to increase lending to the country's business community despite a challenging economic environment. As of March 2026, KCB had extended KSh13 billion in new credit to MSMEs, underscoring its continued focus on addressing financing gaps and supporting business growth across Kenya.
The new EBRD facility further strengthens KCB's position as a key partner for Kenyan businesses seeking capital to expand operations, invest in innovation and adopt sustainable business models. It also reflects growing international confidence in Kenya's private sector and the critical role financial institutions play in advancing inclusive and climate-resilient economic development.
As demand for business financing continues to rise, the partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurs, accelerate green investments and contribute to a more resilient MSME sector, one that remains central to Kenya's long-term economic transformation.
Why KCB Partnership with EBRD Matters to Africa and the GCC
For the GCC, the deal reflects expanding opportunities for investment and financial partnerships with Africa's private sector. Gulf investors, development institutions, and banks are increasingly financing African infrastructure, climate projects, and entrepreneurship as economic ties between the two regions deepen.
Stronger SME ecosystems in markets such as Kenya create new opportunities for GCC investors, exporters, fintech companies, and development finance institutions seeking long-term growth in East Africa.
The partnership also reinforces a broader trend across Africa and the Gulf: using sustainable finance to support entrepreneurship, climate resilience, and economic diversification. As both regions prioritize private-sector-led growth, collaborations between international development banks and leading commercial lenders like KCB could become an increasingly important model for mobilizing capital into high-impact sectors.
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