Stanbic Bank Kenya launches $100M fund on July 17, 2025, to support startups and SMEs in agritech, health tech, and creative industries.
🌍 Stanbic Kenya Launches $100M Fund for Startups and SMEs
Nairobi, July 17, 2025 — Stanbic Bank Kenya has launched a US$100 million Catalytic Fund to support startups and small businesses across East Africa. The fund will target high-potential sectors including agritech, health tech, and the creative economy.
As reported by Fintech News Africa, the initiative aims to close the funding gap for early-stage ventures. It marks a major shift in the region’s banking landscape, where commercial banks are now stepping in to support innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We’re focused on unlocking growth in sectors that matter most to the region’s development,” said a Stanbic Group executive.
The fund will use blended finance—a mix of commercial, development, and philanthropic capital—to lower investment risk and attract more partners. Disbursements are set to begin in Q3 2025, with the fund already reviewing businesses in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
Stanbic’s move comes as investors look to tap into Africa’s growing startup scene, especially in sectors that solve real-world problems like food security, healthcare, and digital access. The bank hopes the fund will help create jobs, drive innovation, and support sustainable growth across the region.
