Nairobi SMEs Access Export Finance Support From Banks

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi are gaining more access to export finance thanks to enhanced support from local banks, backed by international development partners. Family Bank, for instance, secured a US$30 million trade and SME finance facility from the African Development Bank to underwrite export-related transactions, providing working capital, guarantees, and liquidity tools to businesses expanding into regional and global markets.
This development builds on a broader trend of Kenyan banks strengthening trade finance support for SMEs. Institutions such as I&M Bank are scaling up their MSME lending thanks to risk-sharing instruments like the NASIRA portfolio guarantee, backed by FMO (the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank). At the same time, Bank of Africa Kenya (BOA) is expanding its SME lending through a risk-sharing facility with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), helping reduce the perceived risk in cross-border trade.
Industry advocates say these innovations are improving Nairobi-based SMEs’ competitiveness by making financing for export orders more accessible, especially for high-growth sectors. For many firms, accessing export credit has historically been a major bottleneck due to stringent collateral requirements and foreign-exchange risk. With these enhanced financing channels, more SMEs can confidently scale, tap into regional trade networks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and contribute to Kenya’s economic growth.
Looking ahead, banking leaders are optimistic that this momentum will continue, especially with the recent launch of the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) Centre for Sustainable Finance, which aims to drive financial inclusion and support green-export SMEs through capacity building and risk mitigation. If sustained, such financial structures could help Nairobi’s exporters become more resilient, foster job creation, and strengthen Kenya’s role in regional trade.