Absa Bank Kenya and Unilever Kenya have signed a KSh4 billion financing agreement aimed at supporting distributors, retailers and stockists across the country.
The programme is designed to address access to working capital, which remains one of the biggest challenges facing businesses in Kenya’s consumer goods value chain.
The initiative will target more than 38 Unilever distributors nationwide, as well as retailers and stockists within their supply chains.
In the first phase, Absa and Unilever plan to onboard more than 10 distributors before the end of the year.
The financing will be offered through Absa’s Wezesha Stock Loan solution, which provides fast and flexible working capital to businesses.
Under the programme, distributors and retailers will be able to access financing to boost stock levels, improve product availability and expand their operations.
Speaking during the partnership announcement, Absa Bank Kenya Interim Managing Director and CEO Yusuf Omari said the bank was committed to supporting businesses that play a key role in Kenya’s economy.
“For decades, Absa has walked alongside businesses within Kenya’s stock distribution ecosystem, and we deeply value Unilever Kenya as a long-standing corporate partner in that journey,” Omari said.
“This next phase of our partnership allows us to expand our collective impact across the value chain by ensuring that distributors and retailers have reliable and timely access to the financing they need to grow,” he added.
According to Absa, Wezesha Stock is a digital financing platform that allows distributors and retailers to access working capital and stock finance efficiently.
Businesses under the programme can access unsecured loans of up to KSh10 million, including LPO financing, invoice discounting and asset finance options.
Of this amount, up to KSh5 million can be disbursed within 48 hours through a fully digitised process.
Unilever Kenya Managing Director Luck Ochieng said the partnership would strengthen the company’s supply chain while empowering its distribution partners.
“Our distributors, who serve over 140,000 retailers, are at the heart of our business and play a critical role in ensuring our products reach consumers across the country,” Ochieng said.
“This partnership with Absa Bank provides them with access to flexible and timely financing, enabling them to grow sustainably, improve product availability, and better serve their customers,” he added.
The initiative is expected to support SMEs within Kenya’s consumer goods sector, many of which contribute to job creation, business resilience and wider economic activity.
The partnership also builds on a banking relationship between Absa and Unilever dating back to 1980.
Both companies said the programme reflects their shared commitment to strengthening value chains and supporting sustainable business growth in Kenya.
