National Bank of Kenya (NBK) and Centum Real Estate have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at expanding access to affordable homeownership and property investment opportunities for Kenyans.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kilifi, will provide customers with tailored financing solutions covering home purchases, land acquisition, and construction projects.
Under the partnership, prospective homeowners will access flexible mortgage options designed around individual financial circumstances, with competitive monthly repayment plans aimed at reducing barriers to property ownership.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, NBK Managing Director George Odhiambo said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping more Kenyans achieve their homeownership goals.“Through this collaboration, we will utilize our financial expertise and extensive customer network alongside Centum’s proven real estate capabilities to create solutions that make property ownership more accessible and attractive to a wider segment of the market,” Odhiambo said.
The partnership will allow customers to shift focus from the overall cost of property to what they can comfortably afford through structured monthly payments, making homeownership a more realistic goal for first-time buyers and investors.
Centum’s General Manager, Vipingo Development, Martin Kariuki, said the initiative seeks to help customers view homeownership as a planned and achievable investment rather than a distant aspiration.“By connecting quality homes with a more predictable financing path, we want to help more customers see ownership as something they can realistically work toward,” Kariuki said.
The financing package will also feature an investor-friendly structure where buyers begin mortgage repayments after completion and handover of their units. This will enable property owners to generate rental income and use the proceeds to support repayment obligations.
For example, a studio apartment valued at KES 2.7 million can be financed through manageable monthly instalments, lowering the entry barrier for individuals seeking to own homes or invest in real estate.
Access Bank Group Regional Managing Director for East Africa and Kenya Country Managing Director Ralph Opara said the partnership goes beyond property financing by creating pathways for wealth creation and sustainable economic growth.“Together with Centum, we are creating pathways to property ownership and investment while supporting sustainable development, wealth creation and long-term economic growth for Kenya,” Opara said.
The partnership combines NBK’s financial capabilities with Centum Real Estate’s experience in developing urban communities, with the goal of expanding property ownership and supporting Kenya’s housing and economic development agenda.
