The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), hoping to stimulate lending to low-end of businesses, has released the latest ranking of banks giving credit to small and medium enterprises. The ranking looks at the overall amount disbursed to to MSMEs for the first three months of this year, and does not provide interest rates or conditions under which the loans were issued.
According to the report released last week, Equity Bank is the top most MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) financier in the country, having given out Ksh36.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026. It is followed at a distance by KCB Bank, which is reported to have given Ksh12.9 billion to SMEs during the period. At number three and four are Family Bank and Co-operative Bank of Kenya, respectively issuing Ksh12.9 billion and Ksh12.3 billion, to this sector, seen as key to Kenya’s economy.
Closing the top five banks in MSME financing is NCBA Bank at Ksh8.3 billion. It is followed by I&M Bank at Ksh5.7 billion, Sidian Bank at Ksh4.3 billion, National Bank of Kenya at Ks1.7 billion, Gulf African Bank at Ksh1.6 billion and finally Prime Bank at Ksh1.2 Billion.
The increase in loan disbursements to MSMEs follows a strong industry-wide push to expand access to credit for small businesses across Kenya. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the banking industry disbursed Ksh100.9 billion in new MSME loans, reinforcing the sector’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening businesses, and driving economic growth.
This milestone forms part of the banking industry’s wider commitment to unlock Ksh300 billion in new MSME financing in 2026, expanding access to credit for small businesses and empowering enterprises to grow, create jobs, and strengthen Kenya’s economy.
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