SME Empowerment took the spotlight as NCBA celebrated the graduation of 24 vibrant entrepreneurs who completed the 2025 Strathmore Business School Enterprise Development Programme. The event marked another milestone in NCBA’s mission to fuel SME Empowerment across Kenya by equipping business owners with the tools, confidence and networks they need to thrive.
This year’s graduating class represented the heartbeat of Kenya’s economy innovators from manufacturing, agribusiness, retail, construction, logistics and professional services each with a unique story and a shared determination to scale their businesses sustainably.
NCBA Strengthens SME Empowerment Through Capacity Building and Mentorship
During the ceremony, NCBA Group Director for Retail Banking Dennis Njau celebrated the cohort’s achievement and reaffirmed the bank’s unwavering commitment to SME Empowerment.
“We believe that when entrepreneurs grow, the country grows,” he said. “This programme gives our customers practical knowledge, confidence and partnerships that inspire bold decisions. NCBA is committed to walking this journey with them through capacity-building and strong financial solutions.”
The Enterprise Development Programme is a flagship initiative within NCBA’s SME strategy a hands-on, real-world training platform designed to drive meaningful SME Empowerment.
Participants learn how to build resilience, sharpen strategy and navigate fluctuating market environments with courage and clarity.
Through this programme, SME Empowerment becomes more than a training concept it becomes lived experience, personal transformation and business evolution.
Partnerships Fuel a Stronger SME Empowerment Ecosystem
Njau also highlighted NCBA’s expanding ecosystem of strategic partnerships that enhance SME Empowerment for thousands of businesses across the region. Collaborations with the Africa Guarantee Fund, AFAWA, Water.Org, and Proparco allow NCBA to widen access to credit, reduce risk and support entrepreneurs in high-impact areas such as women-led business growth, climate resilience and water and sanitation financing.
These partnerships ensure that SME Empowerment is not just a classroom achievement but a financing reality that helps businesses scale confidently.
The Training Driving Practical SME Empowerment
The Enterprise Development Programme spans 16 intensive weeks, blending academic instruction with practical coaching.
Key modules include:
- Financial management and operations
- Leadership and innovation
- Digital transformation
- Marketing and business strategy
- Real market exposure through fieldwork and networking
Over the years, this programme has delivered measurable SME Empowerment to more than 300 NCBA customers, enabling founders to refine systems, expand markets and strengthen their leadership.
Strathmore Business School applauded its partnership with NCBA, noting that together they are shaping a new generation of resilient, forward-thinking entrepreneurs.
NCBA Invites More Entrepreneurs Seeking Genuine SME Empowerment
NCBA encouraged more entrepreneurs to join upcoming cohorts and take advantage of the bank’s wider suite of SME solutions.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be NCBA customers with a business account active for at least six months
- Run a business operating for at least two years
- Employ at least three people
- Have an annual turnover of at least KSh 3 million
- Be the primary decision-maker in the company
Beyond this programme, NCBA and Strathmore Business School collaborate through the Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Centre, offering owner-manager programmes, business boot camps, networking forums, trade expos and industry conferences all designed to deepen SME Empowerment across Kenya.
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