SBM Bank, in collaboration with the Centre for the Promotion of Imports (CBI), a program funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced a new initiative aimed at helping women entrepreneurs seize global trading opportunities. The initiative will focus on women involved in export value chains in Kenya, starting with 15 businesses during an initial six-month pilot phase, with plans to expand further in the coming years.
This partnership will focus on enhancing women’s access to finance, enabling their entry and growth in international markets. Although women have proven to be reliable borrowers with a low delinquency rate of just 2%, they still struggle to secure the necessary funding for export-related ventures. The initiative aims to address this by linking women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with affordable financing solutions through SBM Bank.
In addition to financing, the collaboration will offer training and coaching for women entrepreneurs in financial management, export readiness, and other key requirements for accessing international markets. CBI will also contribute its market intelligence and international connections to help open new opportunities for Kenyan women in global trade.
This partnership will serve as a platform for direct engagement between women entrepreneurs and SBM Bank, helping bridge the gap between their needs and the bank’s financing criteria.
SBM Bank CEO Bhartesh Shah emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “At SBM Bank, we believe that empowering women is critical for sustainable economic development. Through this partnership with CBI, we are opening new doors for women entrepreneurs to participate in global trade. We are excited about the positive impact this initiative will create in the coming years.”
The partnership aligns with SBM Bank’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth. As a signatory to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, SBM Bank is dedicated to promoting gender equality and creating an inclusive financial system.
This engagement is one of four pillars of CBI’s Women’s Economic Empowerment project in Kenya, valued at 2 million Euros over five years.
CBI Programme Coordinator, Ms. Janneke Vereijken remarked; “Women entrepreneurs often face significant challenges in accessing international markets, and we are delighted to partner with SBM Bank to address these challenges.
This collaboration will empower women to unlock their full potential in global trade.
