NSE Plc (Nairobi Securities Exchange) has admitted Fincredit SEZ Limited to its flagship Ibuka Program, to accelerate its Capital Markets Readiness ahead of the firm’s proposed Corporate Bond issuance.
Joining the NSE Ibuka Program, marks a significant milestone in Fincredit’s journey toward enhanced capital markets access and sustainable long-term growth.
Ibuka is a premier incubation and acceleration platform designed by the NSE to prepare high-potential enterprises for participation in Kenya’s capital markets.
Through a structured framework, the NSE incubation program equips companies with investor readiness tools and strategic guidance required to successfully raise capital via equity and debt instruments.
Fincredit (formerly AAR Credit Services Ltd), is a leading credit-only microfinance institution with operations in Kenya, Uganda, and Liberia, joins the NSE incubation program at a pivotal stage of its growth.
Established in 2000 as part of the AAR Group, the company has consistently delivered innovative, customer-focused financial solutions tailored to diverse market needs.
Participation in NSE Ibuka program will enable Fincredit to unlock access to long-term, cost-effective funding to fuel expansion; build internal capacity to structure and execute capital market transactions; strengthen its corporate governance and institutional framework; refine its business model in alignment with long-term strategic priorities and enhance transparency, reporting, and investor readiness.
By leveraging these capabilities, Fincredit is positioning itself to scale operations, deepen market penetration, and accelerate product innovation across its regional footprint.
Frank Mwiti, NSE Chief Executive Officer noted, “Fincredit’s inclusion underscores its proactive approach to leveraging capital markets as a catalyst for growth and value creation.
The Ibuka Program provides a clear pathway for companies to transition from privately held enterprises to investment-ready institutions. It offers mentorship, advisory support, and exposure to a broad network of investors, intermediaries, and strategic partners-creating a robust ecosystem for business expansion.”
John Kariuki, Chief Executive Officer of Fincredit, highlighted the strategic importance of the program, “Our admission into the Ibuka Program represents a critical step in our growth
journey. We are committed to strengthening our institutional capacity and governance as we prepare to access Kenya’s capital markets. We believe the capital markets will provide access to affordable, long-term capital that is essential for scaling our operations, enhancing our product offerings, and delivering greater value to our customers across the region.”
Beyond capital raising, the NSE Ibuka Program plays a transformative role in shaping companies into resilient, transparent, and growth-oriented institutions. By fostering improved corporatization, strategic discipline, and market visibility, the program enables participants to build sustainable business models capable of attracting both local and international investment.
For Fincredit, this marks the beginning of a structured journey toward becoming a capital markets-ready institution-well-positioned to seize emerging opportunities, expand its regional presence, and deliver long-term stakeholder value.
Ibuka is a Swahili word meaning ‘emerge’. The Ibuka Programme is designed to help small and medium sized companies to benefit from the services that come with being hosted. These benefits include enhanced visibility, exposure to local and international investors and accessing financial advisors and consultants to help them structure their businesses if there is a need to.
Additionally, there are follow up meetings to monitor the progress of the firm and ensure that its financials are attractive to different investors. The meetings also ensure that all the documents are aligned to the Company’s Act requirement. There have been 24 firms from different sectors of the economy who have joined the program and are enjoying the different services offered.
The program is also helping these companies to be listed companies at the NSE Plc.
The different firms are from the insurance sector, technology sector, the motor industry, media industry, manufacturing sector with the platform open to all other sectors.
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