Top 10 Kenyan banks driving Ksh424B lending boom for small businesses

The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) has identified the top 10 banks leading a Ksh424.67 billion lending boom for small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya, with Equity Bank topping the list by advancing Ksh127.95 billion in new loans by September 2026. The lending surge marks a 30% increase from Ksh326.5 billion lent in 2025, with the industry on track to achieve its Ksh500 billion target for new MSME loans in 2026.

The KBA emphasizes that progress will be measured by the number of businesses accessing financing and how effectively they utilize the funds to foster growth, job creation, and economic contribution. Equity Bank, Co-operative Bank, and KCB are closely followed, while Family Bank and NCBA secure the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

The decline in commercial bank lending rates, now at 14.4% in September 2026, may further ease the cost of credit for businesses. Despite the growth in lending, expanding access to credit for first-time borrowers and those with prior financing challenges remains a priority, as long-term financing is crucial for enterprises to purchase equipment, expand operations, and create jobs.

Brief written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.