KCB Bank Kenya has secured a $100 million financing deal from British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, to boost lending for climate-related projects and women-led businesses.

The funding, structured as Tier 2 capital, aims to strengthen KCB’s financial position while enabling it to scale investments in sustainable businesses. This includes supporting local companies involved in renewable energy, green mobility, and sustainable agricultural value chains. The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 13 (Climate Action).

Empowering Women-Led Enterprises

A significant portion of the financing will be directed towards KCB’s Female-Led and Made Enterprises (FLME) initiative, which is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs, especially in the informal sector. The program seeks to address systemic financial barriers, discriminatory policies, and cultural challenges that limit women’s access to credit.

“KCB has committed KSh 50 billion annually to supporting women-owned businesses. To date, we have extended at least KSh 150 billion under this initiative since its launch in 2022, fostering entrepreneurship and creating meaningful job opportunities,” said KCB Group CEO Paul Russo.

Driving Climate Finance in Kenya

BII’s investment will also expand financing for climate-related projects, including the adoption of green technologies and infrastructure development for sustainable business operations.

“This facility is a testament to BII's commitment to strengthening Africa's banking sector through partnerships that drive inclusive and sustainable growth,” said Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII. “By providing supplementary capital to KCB, we are helping scale investments in climate projects and increasing opportunities for women-led businesses—both critical to Kenya’s economic development.”

Strengthening Kenya’s Business Landscape

The partnership is expected to have a transformative impact on Kenya’s financial and business landscape. The British High Commission in Nairobi emphasized the importance of long-term investment in unlocking economic growth.

Daniel Wilcox, Economic Counsellor & Head of Prosperity and Climate at the British High Commission Nairobi, stated,

“Kenya has a vibrant and entrepreneurial business environment, but access to finance remains a constraint. We look forward to working with KCB to deliver the needed change and impact for businesses.”

This financing is also part of the 2X Challenge, a global initiative promoting gender-inclusive investments. BII, a founding member, has committed at least 30% of its new investments to climate finance between 2022 and 2026.

With this latest capital infusion, KCB aims to expand its impact, ensuring that more women-led enterprises and climate-friendly businesses have access to the financial resources necessary to scale and thrive.