Mr Viral
NCBA has reaffirmed its commitment to Kenya’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as it celebrated a new cohort of 24 SME customers who successfully completed the Strathmore Business School Enterprise Development Programme.
The 2025 cohort brings together business owners from key sectors, including manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, construction, logistics, and professional services. The programme continues to attract ambitious entrepreneurs eager to strengthen leadership skills and scale their businesses sustainably.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, NCBA Group Director of Retail Banking, Dennis Njau, congratulated the graduands and emphasized the bank’s ongoing support for SMEs. “We believe that when entrepreneurs grow, the country grows. This programme gives our customers the practical knowledge, confidence, and partnerships they need to take bold steps in their businesses. NCBA remains committed to walking this journey with them through capacity building and strong financial solutions,” he said.
The 16-week Enterprise Development Programme is a core part of NCBA’s SME banking strategy, equipping business owners with leadership skills and practical tools for growth. The programme strengthens resilience, sharpens strategy, and builds confidence to navigate Kenya’s dynamic business environment.
Njau highlighted NCBA’s growing ecosystem of SME support, including strategic partnerships with the Africa Guarantee Fund, AFAWA, Water.Org, and Proparco. These collaborations help reduce lending risks, expand access to credit, and support entrepreneurs in areas such as women-led business growth, climate resilience, and water and sanitation financing. They also enhance NCBA’s ability to lend effectively to SMEs ready to scale.
The programme combines academic learning with practical coaching, covering financial management, operations, marketing, innovation, leadership, and digital transformation. Participants also benefit from networking, peer learning, and exposure to real market insights. Over the years, more than 300 NCBA customers have completed the programme, demonstrating measurable business impact.
Strathmore Business School praised its strong collaboration with NCBA, noting the shared commitment to fostering a vibrant SME sector. The institution reiterated its mission to deliver practical learning experiences that address the real challenges entrepreneurs face today.
NCBA continues to invite customers to enrol in upcoming cohorts. Eligible applicants must be NCBA customers, operate a business account active for at least six months, have a business running for at least two years, employ at least three people, and achieve an annual turnover of at least KSh 3 million. Applicants must also be primary decision-makers in their businesses.
Through the Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Centre, NCBA and Strathmore Business School also deliver the Owner Manager Programme, business boot camps, networking forums, trade expos, and industry conferences—all designed to empower SMEs and MSMEs to grow sustainably and confidently.
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