At a Glance
- NCBA and Kabarak University launch SME business training program.
- The program offers financial literacy, strategic skills, and Chinese language training.
- Initiative supports Kenya’s SME growth and economic diversification.
NCBA Bank, one of Kenya’s leading financial services institutions, has partnered with Kabarak University to roll out a comprehensive business training initiative targeting the country’s fast-growing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector.
The program aims to equip Kenyan entrepreneurs with critical skills, financial literacy, and strategic insights to scale operations, improve efficiency, and sustain growth in an increasingly competitive market.
The launch, held at Kabarak University in Nakuru, was led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Henry K. Kiplangat and NCBA’s Group Director of Commercial & SME Banking, Robert Gatimu Kiboti, underscoring a joint commitment to SME development and economic empowerment.
Structured training backed by financial expertise
The partnership combines Kabarak University’s academic expertise in business and economics with NCBA’s deep market knowledge and corporate finance capabilities.
“Providing credit is only part of the solution,” Kiboti said. “Entrepreneurs need structured training, practical business strategies, and financial guidance to thrive in today’s dynamic marketplace.”
Under a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), NCBA clients will enroll in exclusive Business Development Programme (BDP) cohorts, each hosting a minimum of 20 participants. The initiative will run twice a year, with the first sessions scheduled for February 4 and July 1, 2026.
Empowering SMEs with global skills and networking
A distinctive feature of the program is Chinese language training, enabling participants to engage directly with international business partners.
Other modules include peer-to-peer learning, business site visits, and networking sessions, equipping entrepreneurs with actionable skills beyond the classroom.
This initiative aligns with Kenya’s national development agenda, emphasizing SME growth as a critical driver of job creation, GDP expansion, and economic diversification.
By integrating academic research with real-world business challenges, participants gain practical strategies to enhance operational efficiency, market competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
Driving sustainable entrepreneurship across Kenya
NCBA Bank, headquartered in Nairobi, delivers corporate finance, investment banking, and SME-focused financial solutions across Kenya.
Kabarak University, established in 2002 by the late President Daniel Arap Moi, is a private, chartered Christian institution offering programs in business, law, medicine, and sciences.
Together, the NCBA-Kabarak initiative sets a new standard for SME capacity building in Kenya, empowering local entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and global perspectives needed to grow resilient businesses in an evolving economic landscape.
