NCBA Boosta Drives Smarter SME Financing at Retail Summit 2026

NCBA Group has reinforced its commitment to supporting Kenya’s retail and SME sector through innovative financing solutions showcased during the second day of the Retail Summit 2026.

The summit brought together leaders from the retail, FMCG, and financial services sectors to discuss opportunities shaping the future of retail growth in Kenya and across the region. In particular, stakeholders explored smarter financing models, digital transformation, and sustainable business expansion.

NCBA Boosta Targets SME Financing Gap

During a panel discussion themed “Financing Retail Growth: Unlocking Capital, Credit, and Smarter Funding Solutions,” Peter Githaka highlighted the growing need for accessible working capital among SMEs.

He noted that many retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and dealers still struggle to access timely financing despite rising market demand. Consequently, many businesses face difficulties maintaining stock, improving cash flow, and scaling operations.

To address this gap, NCBA showcased NCBA Boosta, a digital SME lending platform designed to support businesses operating within established supply chains.

The platform allows businesses to access loans of up to KES 35 million. As a result, SMEs can improve liquidity, strengthen stock movement, and enhance trade flow across the economy.

According to NCBA, the solution supports:

• Distributors
• Wholesalers
• Retailers
• Dealers
• Other downstream supply chain players

Additionally, Githaka emphasized that structured financing remains critical for SMEs seeking long-term sustainability and expansion.

NCBA Boosta Drives Smarter SME Financing at Retail Summit 2026

Driving Ecosystem Banking

Meanwhile, Githaka highlighted NCBA’s broader ecosystem banking strategy, which focuses on building integrated financial solutions around business needs.

He explained that the bank continues to support SMEs through:

• Trade finance solutions
• Digital lending platforms
• Working capital financing
• Capacity-building programmes
• Business ecosystem partnerships

Furthermore, he noted that collaboration between financial institutions, retailers, and manufacturers will remain essential in accelerating retail growth across the region.

The discussions also explored how technology-driven financing can help businesses adapt to changing consumer behaviour, digitized commerce, and evolving supply chain demands.

Industry Leaders Focus on Future Growth

Industry leaders attending the summit agreed that stronger partnerships across the retail value chain will play a major role in unlocking future growth opportunities.

Moreover, participants emphasized the importance of innovation and financial inclusion in supporting long-term business sustainability.

Ultimately, the summit positioned strategic partnerships, smarter financing, and digital transformation as key drivers of retail growth across Kenya and the wider region.