Standard Chartered Kenya has been named Kenya’s best trade finance provider at the Global Finance Awards 2026, underscoring the lender’s push to digitise trade flows and expand sustainable working capital solutions in East Africa’s largest economy.
The recognition comes as the bank accelerates the migration of trade transactions onto its Straight2Bank platform, with more than 90% of supplier finance, guarantees, letters of credit, invoice finance and short-term loan transactions now initiated digitally. The lender said the shift to end-to-end digitisation has reduced turnaround times and improved transparency for clients navigating increasingly complex regional and global supply chains.
Standard Chartered Kenya has in recent years deepened its focus on supply chain finance, positioning itself to capture growing demand from corporates seeking to stabilise value chains amid currency volatility and tighter liquidity conditions. The bank said its programmes over the past year have expanded access to affordable working capital for small and medium-sized enterprises, a segment often constrained by limited collateral and higher borrowing costs.
The award also highlights momentum in sustainable trade and working capital financing, as Kenyan corporates face rising pressure from investors and global counterparties to align trade activity with environmental and social standards. The lender said it completed several sustainable trade transactions across key sectors, integrating environmental and social objectives into cross-border commerce.
Makabelo Malumane, head of transaction banking for Kenya and East Africa, said the recognition reflected the bank’s strategy of combining digital infrastructure with sector expertise to streamline trade flows across its international network. Patrick Makau, head of trade and working capital for the region, described the lender as a “super-connector” linking participants across the trade ecosystem to unlock liquidity and strengthen supply chain resilience.
The Global Finance Awards, now in their 26th year, evaluate banks on criteria including transaction volumes, market share, innovation, customer service and sustainability practices. Winners span 14 global categories, eight regions and nearly 100 countries.
Standard Chartered Kenya, part of the London-headquartered Standard Chartered group, plays a significant role in facilitating trade flows across East Africa through its correspondent banking network and cross-border capabilities. As regional trade corridors evolve — driven by infrastructure investment, shifting commodity patterns and regulatory reform — lenders are competing to differentiate through digital platforms and sustainability-linked finance.
The latest award signals that technology-led trade finance and sustainable working capital solutions are becoming central battlegrounds for banks operating in Kenya’s corporate banking market.
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