Kenya’s MSMEs are the backbone of the economy, accounting for over 80% of employment, yet many are still navigating a rapidly shifting digital landscape without the tools or training to keep pace. I&M Bank is changing that.
In partnership with Google, I&M Bank is bringing the Google Hustle Academy to its MSME customers, a free hands-on training programme that equips entrepreneurs with practical digital and AI-powered skills to compete, grow, and future-proof their businesses.
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment where Artificial intelligence is reshaping how businesses market, sell, and operate, and those who understand how to harness it stand to gain a significant competitive advantage. For Kenya’s small business owners, access to this knowledge has often been the missing link between potential and performance.
“Being on your side means making sure our customers aren’t left behind in the AI revolution,” said Shameer Patel, Director Retail & Business Banking. ” We recognise that access to capital is only part of what it takes to build a resilient business. Today’s businesses also need knowledge, technology, and capability-building support to thrive. By partnering with Google, we are expanding the value we offer customers and deepening our role as a true growth partner to Kenya’s entrepreneurial community”.
The Hustle Academy was launched in 2022, providing bootcamp-style training on business strategy, digital skills, AI, and leadership. The program has since trained over 18,000 SMEs, with many reporting increased revenue and job creation.
” We believe that the future of Africa’s digital economy lies in the hands of individuals and entrepreneurs alike. Our new strategy focuses on scaling reach by training individuals in the latest AI-centered tools and techniques,” said a Google representative.”
The programme has already delivered results across the continent, with more than 18,500 graduates across Sub-Saharan Africa, over half of whom are women entrepreneurs. I&M Bank’s partnership brings this proven model home, making it accessible, at no cost, to eligible MSME customers.
For I&M Bank, this goes beyond a training initiative. It reflects a deliberate philosophy that a true banking partner doesn’t just finance your business, they equip you to grow it. With a 50-year track record of growing alongside Kenyan businesses, I&M Bank continues to deepen that partnership in ways that matter most to today’s entrepreneur.
MSME customers interested in enrolling can visit the website- Google Hustle Academy Registration.xlsx or your nearest branch or speak to their I&M Bank relationship manager.
