NCBA has reaffirmed its commitment to helping Kenyan businesses compete in regional and international markets through its SME Exporters Forum.
The forum brought together government representatives, the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), development partners, exporters and industry stakeholders to discuss practical ways of strengthening Kenya’s export ecosystem.
Participants were taken through NCBA’s Trade Finance and Global Markets solutions, which offer trade financing, working capital, transaction support, foreign exchange, hedging and market intelligence services.
The lender said the services are aimed at helping exporters manage cross-border transactions, currency exposure and the financial demands associated with entering new markets.
The discussions come as Kenya seeks to narrow its growing trade deficit and increase the number of businesses exporting value-added products.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey 2026, Kenya’s merchandise exports grew by more than 10 per cent in 2024 to surpass KSh1.1 trillion.
However, the country’s merchandise trade deficit widened to about KSh1.65 trillion in 2025, underlining the need to improve export competitiveness and support more businesses to access international markets.
Kenyan exporters are also expected to benefit from opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), existing trade agreements with the European Union and the United States, and China’s decision to grant approximately 98.2 per cent zero-duty market access for eligible Kenyan products under the Early Harvest Agreement.
Speaking during the forum, NCBA Group Director for Retail Banking Dennis Njau said Kenya’s next phase of economic growth would be driven by businesses that can compete beyond the country’s borders.
“Kenya does not lack products the world wants. Our task now is to ensure more Kenyan businesses have what they need to take those products to the world,” Njau stated.
“Access to markets creates opportunity, but businesses also need financing, trade expertise and trusted partnerships to convert that opportunity into sustainable growth. That is where NCBA comes in.”
Njau added that market access alone was not enough for SMEs seeking to establish themselves internationally.
“At NCBA, we believe every export journey begins with belief. But belief alone is not enough. It must be matched with capability through access to finance, working capital, foreign exchange solutions and strong partnerships,” he added.
A KEPROBA representative noted that stronger collaboration between government, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector would be key to unlocking Kenya’s export potential.
The representative said such partnerships would equip SMEs with the market access, financing and support needed to compete globally while creating greater value for the Kenyan economy.
NCBA stated that the forum underscored the need for a collaborative export ecosystem that gives SMEs the knowledge, financial backing and market linkages needed to grow beyond domestic markets.
The bank will later this year host its annual China Market Linkage Programme, connecting Kenyan businesses with buyers, suppliers and strategic partners in one of the world’s largest trading economies.
