Nairobi, 25 November 2025: Twenty-four Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)have received growth grants of KSh100,000 each following their successful completion of the Inuka Enterprise Accelerator Program, a banking industry-led initiative implemented by the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) through the Centre for Sustainable Finance and Enterprise Development (CSFED).
The 12-week accelerator equipped MSMEs with advanced mentorship, business diagnostics, financial readiness training, and strategic guidance to enhance competitiveness and support sustainable scaling. The enterprises selected for the pilot were drawn from key sectors — including manufacturing, agriculture, trade, textile, and leather— and were identified from the more than 130,000 MSMEs that have benefited from the broader Inuka Enterprise Program since 2018.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, KBA Chief Executive Officer Raimond Molenje reaffirmed the banking industry’s commitment to strengthening MSME growth as a driver of national economic resilience.
“MSMEs are the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing over 40% to GDP and providing millions of jobs. Supporting their growth is essential to building an inclusive and competitive economy. Through the Inuka Accelerator, we are helping enterprises not only survive but thrive, innovate, and scale sustainably,” said Mr. Molenje.
He further underscored the need to restore Kenyans’ purchasing power by revising PAYE tax brackets, noting that employed citizens have lost up to 12% of their purchasing power over the last five years. This decline, he said, restricts participation in economic activities that create jobs and expand the tax base. Mr. Molenje also called for sustained economic stability beyond election cycles, urging stakeholders to address the recurring slowdown in business activities that precedes national elections.
James Mureu, Chairman of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), lauded the Inuka Accelerator as a timely intervention for Kenya’s enterprise sector. “KBA’s commitment to MSME development is commendable. Initiatives like the Inuka Accelerator are essential in helping businesses navigate challenges and seize opportunities for growth,”said Mr. Mureu.
The Inuka Accelerator Graduation marks a major milestone in the banking industry’s effort to strengthen the MSME ecosystem through practical training, innovation support, and financial inclusion.
Media Contacts
Christine Onyango
Director, Communication and Public Affairs
Kenya Bankers Association
Email: conyango@kba.co.ke
About Kenya Bankers Association
The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) is the umbrella body for all commercial banks in Kenya, regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). Established on 16th July 1962, KBA represents 46 member institutions with assets exceeding KES 7.7 trillion. The Association’s core mandate is to champion a stable, competitive, and inclusive banking industry by influencing legislation, regulation, and policy to enhance access to affordable credit for individuals, households, and businesses. KBA also drives financial sector development through strategic initiatives such as the launch of Pesalink, the industry’s first peer-to-peer digital payments platform. In partnership with the CBK and other stakeholders, KBA has also spearheaded key projects including the modernization of the National Payments System, the implementation of the Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS), and the Kenya Credit Information Sharing Initiative. Guided by its brand statement, One Industry. Transforming Kenya, KBA continues to promote a strong and professional banking sector that advances innovation, fosters financial inclusion, and supports national economic growth. Learn More: www.kba.co.ke.
