The East African Development Bank (EADB) has unveiled an ambitious program aimed at bolstering the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. Partnering with Sidian Bank, HF Bank, Development Bank of Kenya (DBK), and Kenya Women’s Finance Trust Microfinance Bank (KWFT), EADB will fund this KES 892 million initiative, targeting over 1,300 SMEs nationwide.
These financial institutions will extend direct loans to SMEs operating in various sectors, including agriculture, transport, commerce, and manufacturing.
During the signing ceremony, EADB Director General Ms. Vivienne Yeda emphasized the crucial role of SMEs in East African economies. “SMEs are the backbone of the East African economies, and EADB is committed to sustaining and facilitating their growth through financial institutions,” she stated. “Over the last 50 years, the Bank has been instrumental in stimulating the East African economies through its financing strategy, impacting millions of lives in the region.”
CEOs of the partnering financial institutions lauded the program, underscoring the opportunities it presents for businesses to build wealth and enhance the lives of Kenyan communities.
Sidian Bank MD Chege Thumbi remarked, “Our partnership with EADB has significantly supported our SME customers. With EADB’s unwavering support, we have extended affordable credit to enterprises that have struggled to access finances. We will continue this support, particularly for agriculture-based enterprises, a cornerstone of the Kenyan economy.”
HF Bank MD Peter Mugeni echoed this sentiment, stating, “The line of credit reaffirms our shared commitment to empowering SMEs in Kenya. These enterprises create jobs, foster innovation, and contribute significantly to our national GDP. This financing provides essential capital to support our people’s entrepreneurial spirit and resilience.”
KWFT Microfinance Bank MD Benson Kitabu highlighted the transformative potential of the SME sector for Kenya’s socio-economic landscape. “At KWFT, we empower women in SMEs, enabling them to provide for their families and build generational wealth through funding like this. Affordable credit is a game changer for SMEs,” he said.
DBK Managing Director Johnson Kiniti added, “As a development bank, we have long promoted local entrepreneurship, stimulating economic and social growth. This line of credit will enable us to reach more businesses, offering a lifeline to create employment and contribute to the national economy.”
EADB’s SME funding program has provided USD 61 billion in affordable credit to thousands of SMEs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda through local financial institutions over the past 11 years.
About EADB
The East African Development Bank (EADB) was established in 1967 under the then East African Cooperation Treaty. In 1980, the Bank was re-established under a new Charter, with an expanded mandate to promote social and economic developments and facilitate regional integration across its member states of Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The Bank continues to support the growth of SMEs, which are the backbone of the East African economies. Apart from SME financing, EADB also finances projects that promote environmental conservation, renewable energy, climate resilience, infrastructure, agriculture, agribusiness, and tourism sectors, among others.
This partnership marks a significant step forward in providing Kenyan SMEs with the financial resources they need to thrive, ultimately contributing to the broader economic development of the region.
