Search Results for: SMEs
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News
EEMEA SMEs are rethinking growth as cybersecurity, AI and digital payments gain ground
Small and medium-sized businesses across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) are increasingly turning to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence…
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News
Equity Bank accelerates push to link local SMEs to global markets
Kenyan commercial banks are shifting their lending strategies from traditional primary production toward value addition, aiming to plug local small…
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News
KCB extends KSh26.4bn to MSMEs as Kenya’s biggest banks dominate business lending
KCB Group extended KSh26.4 billion in new loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the first half of…
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News
NCBA Insurance targets underinsured SMEs with cover from KES 15,000
NCBA Insurance is expanding its business insurance offering in Kenya as small and medium-sized enterprises face increasing exposure to risks…
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News
Airtel Money launches Bizna Wallet for Kenyan SMEs, expands cashback rewards
Airtel Money Kenya has unveiled Bizna Wallet, a dedicated business wallet designed to help small businesses manage their finances through…
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News
Paystack Launches Four-Week Growth Programme for Nigerian SMEs
Paystack has launched Small Business Launchpad, a four-week programme offering active merchants in Nigeria access to business clinics, expert office…
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News
Zoho, KNCCI Partner to Accelerate Digital Transformation for SMEs in Kenya
Zoho has partnered with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) to expand digital transformation among small and…
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News
Visa Unveils New Smartphone Payment Solutions for SMEs Across Emerging Markets
Visa is expanding its digital payments ecosystem with new capabilities for Visa Accept and Visa Direct, enabling small businesses to…
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News
Kenya Looks to Banks and Credit Reform in New MSMEs Policy
Kenya’s Revised MSMEs Policy 2026 places access to finance at the heart of the government’s latest effort to strengthen the…
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News
Why Digital Lending Is Becoming a Lifeline for Kenya’s SMEs
Limited access to financing continues to be one of the biggest constraints facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya,…
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News
Digital Literacy is Key to Unlocking Growth for Kenyan MSMEs
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) continue to play a significant role in Kenya’s economy, driving employment, innovation, and livelihoods…
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BUSINESS
KCB Targets MSMEs and Informal Sector with New Mortgage Financing Solution
KCB Bank has announced the launch of a new mortgage solution designed to unlock home ownership for Kenya’s informal sector,…
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News
Safaricom PLC Showcases Business Solutions to Empower SMEs Across Kenya
Safaricom has hosted a Grow with Safaricom Business solutions showcase, bringing together medium-sized enterprises from the education, healthcare, and insurance…
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BUSINESS
Kenyan Banks Lend Ksh.326.5 Billion to MSMEs in 2025
Kenya’s banking sector extended Ksh.326.5 billion in new loans to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in 2025, shattering the…
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News
KCB Bank and Visa Launch New Business Credit Card to Empower Kenyan SMEs
KCB Bank has joined forces with Visa to introduce a new Business Credit Card tailored for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)…
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News
Agridex Partnership Signals Shift in How Trade Finance Reaches African SMEs
Agridex International has announced its partnership with Tradeflow Capital Management to focus on improving how Capital moves into agricultural and…
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News
How Safaricom Enterprise Solutions are Powering Skyward Express and Local SMEs
As Kenyan enterprises navigate a complex economic landscape, technology has emerged as the critical differentiator between stagnation and expansion. Three…
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COLUMNS
Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa | The Role of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships in Transforming SMEs
Stakeholder outreach to small businesses, regulators, lobby groups, and financial partners has unveiled significant opportunities for enhancing the resilience and…
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News
Why Financing Innovation for Kenya’s MSMEs Demands More Than Microloans and Policy Promises
Kenya’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are often called the backbone of the economy. But when it comes to…
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News
World MSME Day 2025: How Safaricom is Enabling Kenyan MSMEs to Scale
As the world marks World MSME Day 2025, the spotlight turns to the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises that form…
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COLUMNS
Azael Serrano: Why Compact Printers Matter More Than Ever for SMEs
In the evolving landscape of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), two realities are inescapable: space is scarce, and budgets are…
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News
AI Max: New Google AI Tool Empowers African SMEs
Google has announced the global beta rollout of AI Max for Search Campaigns, an upgrade to its Search Ads platform…
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News
40% of Kenyan SMEs Adopted Digital Payments in the Last Two Years, Visa Study
Digital payments company Visa has released a new report detailing growth opportunities for digital payments, particularly among small and medium-sized…
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BUSINESS
Visa Study Highlights Need for Strengthened Security to Boost Digital Payments Among SMEs in Kenya
A recent report by digital payments leader Visa has shed light on the security concerns faced by small and medium-sized…
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News
68% of Kenyan SMEs Plan to Adopt Contactless Payments – Visa Report
Visa has announced the launch of a new report, ‘Value of Acceptance: Understanding the Digital Payment Landscape in Kenya,’ which…
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BUSINESS
NCBA Bank Leads the Charge in Financial Inclusion and Empowering MSMEs
NCBA Bank has continued to establish itself as a prominent figure in driving financial inclusion in the region, demonstrating a…
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News
Safaricom partners with tappi to digitize Kenyan MSMEs
Kenyan digital commerce startup tappi has partnered with Safaricom’s M-PESA to digitize 650,000 business users across Kenya. According to a…
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BUSINESS
Equity Bank commits to support SMEs to scale regionally
Equity Bank Group has committed to partnering with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to scale up business beyond their current…
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News
Eunice Kinyanjui: We Need More Digital and Innovative Financial Solutions for MSMEs Beyond Credit
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing significantly to innovation and economic growth. According…
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News
KRA and KNCCI Collaborate to Enhance Tax Compliance for MSMEs
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will now collaborate with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) to sensitize Micro,…
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Startups
Mastercard Foundation launches agribusiness challenge for SMEs in Africa
The Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity has launched an Agribusiness Challenge Fund targeting SMEs across 20 countries in…
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BUSINESS
Glovo partners with Visa to support SMEs
Glovo has teamed with digital payments leader, Visa, to empower small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) through a series of online training courses.…
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BUSINESS
Safaricom Unveils “Grow With Safaricom Business” Platform For MSMEs
Safaricom has launched the “Grow with Safaricom Business” engagement platform for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The platform, according…
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BUSINESS
Branch and Solv partner to extend loans to Kenyan MSMEs
Branch MFB has entered into a strategic partnership with Solv Kenya to extend loans, business development support and market linkages…
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News
Absa Bank commits Ksh.100 billion to support MSMEs in Kenya
Absa Bank Kenya has announced a KES100 billion funding commitment to spur the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises…
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BUSINESS
Kenyan SMEs ditching mobile money payments to avoid taxation
Government’s increased taxation is forcing small businesses in Kenya to ditch mobile money payments in favour of cash. According to…
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News
Microsoft and M-PESA Africa partner to develop digital skills for MSMEs
Microsoft is partnering with M-PESA Africa to support its Capability Development Academy. Microsoft will provide access to the Microsoft Community…
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News
Kenya-based Kua Ventures invests over $1 Million in local SMEs
Kua Ventures, an impact investment firm based in Kenya has invested more than $1 million (Ksh. 145 million) in SMEs…
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News
Kenyan fintech Boya launches Virtual Visa cards for SMEs
Boya, the Kenyan fintech firm on Tuesday launched its virtual Visa expense card targeting local businesses. The card was launched…
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BUSINESS
Pesapal and Sokohela Launch Credit Product for SMEs in Kenya
Digital payments company Pesapal has partnered with Sokohela, a digital credit provider to launch a new credit product for small…
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BUSINESS
Boost for SMEs as Pesapal Introduces Real-Time Settlement of Payments in Kenya
Pesapal has introduced real-time settlement for merchants in Kenya, enabling fast transfer of funds into their accounts. Through Pesapal’s e-wallet…
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News
Players need to make connectivity available and affordable for SMEs, Liquid
Last week, the world marked World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, a day observed annually to mark the signing of…
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News
Zuri Health Launches digital outpatient service for SMEs
Zuri Health, the Kenyan health-tech has launched a new digital outpatient service designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).…
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News
[Nigeria] Fintech startup OnePipe raises $4.8m to reach more SMEs
Nigerian fintech startup, OnePipe, has secured $4.8 million in debt funding from TLG Capital to drive the company’s inventory finance…
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News
Empowering African SMEs: Cladfy’s innovative approach to accessing capital
Sub-Saharan Africa is currently home to 44 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). All of which serve as a…
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BUSINESS
Workstyle Africa and SNDBX target African SMEs with new workspaces
Serviced office space provider, Workstyle Africa, has partnered with SNDBX International to open five one-stop-shop entrepreneurship centers and workspaces in…
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News
$200 million fund launched to support African SMEs
The Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund (MFAGF) has launched a $200 million funding initiative for small and medium-sized enterprises in…
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News
Digital insurer mTek has inked a deal with Britam to insure SMEs
Insurance startup mTek which offers its services through digital platforms and eliminates paperwork has inked a deal with Britam to…
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News
DTB launches a special account for women-owned SMEs
Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has launched a unique account for women running Small and Medium Enterprises. Dubbed Zawadi, the account…
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News
StanChart’s Solv Kenya Launches Credit Platform for Kenyan MSMEs
Solv Kenya, a B2B platform owned by Standard Chartered bank has officially launched in Kenya, aiming to make an impact…
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BUSINESS
Sendy and Meta to offer free digital skills training to SMEs in Kenya and Nigeria
Sendy, the Kenyan logistics startup has partnered with Meta through the Innovation Growth Hub (IGHub) to offer free training for…
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News
Twiva partners with Caroline Mutoko for MSMEs training
Caroline Mutoko and influencer-powered social commerce platform Twiva have partnered to highlight and train Kenyan Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises…
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Interviews
[Interview] Lean data practices can help mitigate risks for Kenyan SMEs, says Mozilla’s Noémie Hailu
Three weeks ago, Mozilla unveiled a Lean Data Practices (LDP)course for SMEs and startups in Kenya to increase their awareness…
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News
ESTHER KAMAU: Digital Transformation and How It Influences Scalability for MSMEs
Digital transformation has shaped the diversity of MSMEs who account for at least 40% of Kenya’s GDP. MSMEs in Kenya…
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News
Software Developer Zoho has launched a discounted app package for Kenyan SMEs
Global software and systems developer Zoho has today launched a heavily discounted business management system for Kenyan SMEs. The Zoho…
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News
Kenyan Online Accounting firm Odibooks Launches Management platform for SMEs.
Kenyan fintech startup Odibooks has launched a management and accounting platform that SMEs can use to automate their processes. Odibook…
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News
Bulk SMS provider Vaspro is celebrating MSMEs in Kenya with a Special Offer
Did you know that Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) make up over 90% of all firms and accounts, on average…
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News
46% of SMEs in EEMEA earning more money than before the pandemic, Mastercard report
Data from Mastercard’s 2022 Borderless Payments Report has revealed two in five (46%) small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Eastern…
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News
Pezesha Africa partners with Autochek to provide Asset Financing to local SMEs
Automotive technology company Autochek has partnered with Pezesha Africa to enable SMEs in Kenya to access asset financing. Pezesha offers…
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News
WhatsApp launches campaign to profile SMEs from across Africa
WhatsApp has announced the launch of the WhatsAppreneurs campaign, profiling small entrepreneurs from Africa who are using the WhatsApp Business…
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News
Google to offer e-commerce training to 1000 SMEs in Kenya
Google has partnered with Coursera to develop an online course for Small and Medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Kenya. Coursera is…
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News
Mozilla launches course on data privacy and protection for SMEs and Startups in Kenya
Mozilla has today unveiled a course for SMEs and startups in Kenya to increase their awareness and capabilities on the…
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News
Sendy partners with Google to empower MSMEs in Kenya and Nigeria.
Sendy has entered into a new partnership with Google to empower small and medium businesses in Kenya, South Africa and…
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News
ESTHER KAMAU: Why MSMEs Must Embrace Technology To Remain Competitive
Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) ought to consider ‘Social Commerce’ as part of their performing business model if their…
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INSURANCE
Health-tech platform M-Tiba and Jubilee partner to provide health insurance for SMEs
Safaricom-owned mobile health platform M-TIBA and Jubilee Health Insurance have announced a new partnership to provide health insurance to SMEs.…
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News
Google launches Hustle Academy for SMEs and Entrepreneurs across Africa
Tech giant Google has today announced the launch of a new academy to offer free training to small and medium…
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BUSINESS
IFC Extends Financing to Guaranty Trust Bank to support SMEs in Kenya
IFC has extended a loan to Guaranty Trust Bank (Kenya) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Guaranty Trust Group, for on-lending…
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News
Sidian Bank and FMO sign a Ksh.1.7 billion facility for MSMEs financing in Kenya
Dutch entrepreneurial development bank FMO and Sidian Bank have signed a Ksh.1.7 billion NASIRA loan portfolio guarantee to provide financing…
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News
Equity Acquires Ksh.18.6 Billion loan from IFC for Onward Lending to SMEs in Kenya
Equity Group has acquired a Ksh 18.6 billion loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to help it increase working…
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BUSINESS
Ecobank partners with insurance companies to offer bancassurance to SMEs across Africa
Ecobank Group’s Commercial Banking business has partnered with a number of insurance companies to offer a range of Bancassurance solutions…
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BUSINESS
Over 21,000 SMEs and individuals have so far benefited from Stanbic Bank Kenya’s Accelerate Program
Over 21,000 SMEs and individuals have so far benefited from Stanbic Bank Kenya’s Accelerate Program. This is is according to…
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News
Microsoft announces Teams Essentials, a standalone version of Teams for SMEs
Microsoft has announced the launch of Teams Essentials, the first-ever stand-alone offering of Microsoft Teams specifically designed for small-midsize businesses…
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BUSINESS
Mastercard and Meta join forces to support digitization of SMEs in MEA
Mastercard is collaborating with Meta to support the digitization and growth of SMEs across the MEA region. The two plan…
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BUSINESS
DTB and Crown Motors sign SMEs vehicle financing deal
Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has today announced a new partnership with Crown Motors Group, the official distributor of the Nissan…
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News
Meta launches a WhatsApp chatbot for SMEs in Africa
Meta has announced the launch of a new WhatsApp chatbot to help SMEs across Africa learn how to grow their…
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News
Kaspersky launches dedicated ‘low budget’ security hub for SMEs across META
Kaspersky has unveiled a free platform with tips and tricks for small businesses to help them quickly improve their organization’s…
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BUSINESS
Mastercard and Zambian fintech firm Digital PayGo launch merchant mobile payments solution for SMEs
Mastercard has partnered with Zambian-based fintech company, Digital PayGo, to launch a new merchant mobile payments solution for SMEs in…
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News
78% of SMEs in region’s retail sector are optimistic about the next 12 months, Mastercard
Although different sectors were exposed to and impacted in diverging ways to the extensive changes of the COVID-19 pandemic, SMEs…
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News
[Rwanda] IFC, CMA and Central Bank partner to boost access to long-term finance for SMEs
To support the development of Rwanda’s capital markets, IFC, the National Bank of Rwanda and the country’s Capital Markets Authority…
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BUSINESS
IFC, FMO partner with I&M Bank to support SMEs in Kenya
IFC and FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, have announced a $50 million loan facility to the I&M Bank to…
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CYBER SECURITY
Brandon Rochat: What SMEs need to know about Ransomware attacks
Ransomware attacks are on the rise and malicious cybercriminals are always fine-tuning their strategies. Business leaders need to realise that…
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News
Health SMEs in Africa to benefit from a digital finance fund
Medical Credit Fund (MCF), a non-profit fund exclusively dedicated to financing small and medium-sized healthcare companies in Africa, celebrated its…
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BUSINESS
AGF issues $5m Loan Portfolio Guarantee to Sidian Bank to boost SMEs financing in Kenya
The African Guarantee Fund (AGF), has issued a Loan Portfolio Guarantee to Sidian Bank to boost financing of the SME…
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BUSINESS
Most Kenyan MSMEs Operating Within ICT, Agricultural Sectors, Survey
ICT and Agriculture are the leading host sectors for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya, the 2021 MSMEs…
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BUSINESS
KEPSA and Zydii launch free digital courses for MSMEs
The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), and Zydii Limited have announced a partnership to provide free digital training to Micro,…
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News
Future Ni Digital Initiative aims to equip local MSMEs owners with digital skills
Microsoft recently unveiled a new initiative to prepare Kenyan small businesses to adapt to the new normal. Dubbed Future Ni…
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BUSINESS
SMEs feeling economic pinch turn to innovative tech platforms to save cash
More than a year into the Covid-19 pandemic and South Africa ’s SMEs remain under enormous pressure and are increasingly…
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BUSINESS
NCBA and KAM partner to support local manufacturing SMEs
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC has today partnered with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), to enhance the development of Manufacturing…
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News
[Africa Cloud Review] Simon Ngunjiri: Cloud adoption is the future of African SMEs
In our previous Africa Cloud Review report, we highlighted how cloud adoption is no longer merely an option but a necessity that…
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BUSINESS
Newly signed Equity SME guarantees to benefit more women owned SMEs
A bulk of the recently signed SME guarantees by Equity Bank totaling Kshs 52.25 Billion will go towards supporting women-owned…
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Startups
Ajua and MTN Nigeria launch Customer Management mobile app for SMEs
Kenyan based customer experience startup Ajua has partnered with MTN Nigeria to launch EnGauge, a digital eCommerce customer engagement management…
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BUSINESS
Equity Signs Kshs 11 Billion Credit Facility with European Development Banks to Support local MSMEs
Equity Group has signed a Kshs 11 Billion loan facility with Team Europe, Germany’s DEG, the Netherlands FMO and the…
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BUSINESS
Faulu Bank to lend Ksh.3 billion to local SMEs
Faulu Microfinance Bank plans to lend up to Ksh.3 billion to local micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to help…
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BUSINESS
Mastercard, Unilever and KCB Bank to provide a $150k recovery package to Kenyan MSMEs
To extend support towards COVID-19 economic recovery, Mastercard, Unilever and KCB Bank have pooled resources to provide Micro, small and…
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News
Equity Announces a $100 Partnership With Proparco to Support 240 Local MSMEs
Equity Group has announced a $100 partnership with Proparco, a French Development Finance Institution to support Micro, Small, and Medium…
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BUSINESS
East African SMEs accelerate their growth with cloud deployments
SMEs in the East African region are using digital transformation initiatives to increase their competitiveness and ensure they are set…
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BUSINESS
The business challenges of SMEs during this COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only taken a toll on the health sector; it has now become an economic crisis…
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BUSINESS
Equity Bank Receives $50 Million Loan from IFC to support Kenyan SMEs affected by COVID-19
IFC has announced a $50 million loan to Equity Bank Kenya to support local SMEs especially those facing COVID-19 related…
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BUSINESS
Kenya Association of Manufacturers is piloting a Circular Economy programme with SMEs in Ruaraka
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) is piloting a Circular Economy programme for local SMEs with Denmark in Ruaraka, Nairobi.…
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BUSINESS
Zoho launches Bigin, a CRM solution for SMEs priced at Ksh.560
Zoho, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) firm has today launched Bigin, a pipeline-centric CRM software designed specifically for small and micro business owners.…
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BUSINESS
Ngao Credit: How SMEs can benefit from Our Jijenge loan product
The coronavirus pandemic is hitting the global economy hard. While it is hard to exactly tell the extent the damage…
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