BY MARY ADISA
The desk will be the second after Nigeria and will serve as a central hub for businesses in Africa
Kenya’s largest bank by asset base, the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and the and Invest International, a Netherlands public-private financial institution have signed a deal to set up a dedicated hub in Kenya to support the Dutch entrepreneurs seeking financing solutions in emerging markets.
The Kenyan desk will be the second after Nigeria and will serve as a central hub for businesses in Africa by linking them to working capital, export financing and investment facilities.
KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director, Ms Annastacia Kimtai said that the deal, which was signed in Nairobi, will see Netherlands businesses get access to finance and local currency markets.
“This is a landmark moment for us as we continue to enhance Kenya’s business environment and foster international partnerships,” Ms Kimtai spoke of the deal.
As of 2024, KCB had the largest assets in Kenya with a value of approximately $13.9 billion. In terms of the market share, in 2023, the bank had a market share of just over 14 percent of the Kenya banking industry.
As of October 2024, Equity Bank was the leading bank in Kenya in terms of tier 1 capital, which reached approximately USD1.39 billion with KCB following with the second-largest volume of tier 1 capital at around USD1.27 billion.
Ms Kimtai noted that the collaboration underscores “our commitment to providing businesses with the tools they need to thrive and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have on trade and investment between Kenya and the Netherlands.”
The deal is also primed to support the provision of market insights and advisory solutions for the Dutch businesses seeking to enter the Kenyan market and for Kenyan enterprises looking to expand into the Netherlands in key sectors such as agriculture, energy, healthcare, water and infrastructure.
The hub is aligned with both Kenya’s and the Netherlands’ long-term economic and environmental goals.
By fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsible business practices, the desk will play a critical role in supporting Kenya’s position as a hub for international trade and investment while promoting the Netherlands’ leadership in sustainable development.
Invest International CEO, Mr Hans Docter said that the partnership with KCB will bring the Dutch financing hub to Kenya.
“We aim to offer Dutch businesses a gateway into one of Africa’s most vibrant economies while also opening new markets for Kenyan enterprises. We believe that this initiative will facilitate trade and encourage investments that drive positive change within the wider East African economy,” said Mr Docter.
