GITHUNGURI, Kenya, Mar 24 – The Kenya Development Corporation (KDC)-led Supporting Access to Finance and Enterprise Recovery (SAFER) programme has supported over 55,000 MSMEs across 38 counties, sustaining more than 30,000 jobs.
Implemented in partnership with the World Bank and the National Treasury, the programme is expanding access to affordable credit for small businesses, particularly in underserved segments.
Women-owned enterprises account for 36 percent of beneficiaries, while youth-led businesses make up 35 percent, highlighting its role in advancing financial inclusion.
The initiative, launched to support MSME recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which places small businesses at the centre of economic growth.
A joint delegation led by World Bank Vice President Anke D’Angelo visited Githunguri Dairy Cooperative Sacco in Kiambu County to assess the programme’s impact on enterprise growth and access to credit.
KDC Director General Norah Ratemo said the initiative is helping translate development finance into tangible economic outcomes.
“The strong uptake of this facility demonstrates both the demand for affordable financing among MSMEs and the effectiveness of delivering development finance through well-governed local institutions,” she said.
Through the programme, KDC extended a Sh500 million facility to the SACCO, enabling more than 15,000 MSMEs to access financing, many for the first time.
Charles Kioko said the SACCO has expanded its reach beyond dairy farmers to serve about 79,000 customers, offering innovative financing solutions including digital loans and livestock-backed credit.
“Today, we serve approximately 79,000 customers and continue to support farmers through innovative financing solutions,” he said.
The programme also leverages digital lending platforms to improve efficiency and expand access to credit, supporting business growth and resilience.
Stakeholders say such partnerships between government, development partners and local financial institutions are key to unlocking enterprise growth and driving inclusive economic transformation.
