KCB Group CEO, Paul Russo (left) and British International Investment CEO, Leslie Maasdorp (right) display agreement documents during an MoU signing ceremony
KCB Bank Kenya has struck a game-changing deal with British International Investment (BII), securing a $100 million Tier 2 capital facility to supercharge lending to climate-related projects and women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The funding aims to strengthen KCB’s financial position while fueling investments in innovative climate technologies. Beneficiaries will include businesses in renewable energy, green mobility, and sustainable agriculture, all crucial in driving Kenya’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Additionally, a significant portion of the funds will be directed toward empowering female entrepreneurs through KCB’s Female-Led and Made Enterprises (FLME) initiative. This program tackles long-standing barriers such as discriminatory lending policies and cultural biases that limit women’s access to credit, particularly in the informal sector.
Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, highlighted the strategic importance of this investment:
“Kenya is a key market for BII. By providing additional capital to KCB, we are helping scale investments in climate projects while creating opportunities for women-led businesses—both essential for Kenya’s economic development and green growth agenda.”
The deal aligns with the 2X Challenge, an initiative advocating for gender diversity in investment, business leadership, and workforce inclusion.
KCB Group CEO Paul Russo emphasized the partnership’s significance in driving sustainable economic growth:
“This collaboration marks a major step in expanding our support for climate-aligned businesses and women-led enterprises while strengthening our capital position.”
KCB has already committed Ksh 50 billion annually under the FLME initiative and has disbursed at least Ksh 150 billion since its launch in 2022, fostering entrepreneurship and creating job opportunities across Kenya.
Daniel Wilcox, Economic Counsellor & Head of Prosperity and Climate at the British High Commission Nairobi, acknowledged the hurdles Kenyan businesses face in accessing financing.
“Kenya has a vibrant and entrepreneurial business landscape, but access to finance remains a challenge. We look forward to working closely with KCB to bring real impact to businesses in need.”
With this strategic injection of capital, KCB is set to strengthen its role as a financial catalyst for sustainable growth, empowering women entrepreneurs and accelerating Kenya’s climate resilience.