Kenya’s banks disbursed over KSh 62B ( $465 million) to women entrepreneurs in 2025. See the top 10 lenders, conditions, and direct contacts.
In 2025, Kenya’s financial sector is undergoing a shift as banks race to launch gender-intentional financial solutions designed for women entrepreneurs. Backed by data showing the multiplier effect of investing in women, financial institutions are rolling out tailored loans, training programs, and mentorship platforms.
Below are the top 10 banks leading the charge—how much they’ve disbursed, the loan terms, and who to contact.
🏦 1. Equity Bank Kenya
Program: Fanikisha
Loans Issued (2024/25): KSh 12.6 billion (~USD 94M) to 65,000+ women
Conditions: Flexible collateral; interest from 9.5%; free business training
Contact: 📧 fanikisha@equitybank.co.ke | ☎ +254 763 000 000
🔗 Explore Equity’s Women Banking Programs
📌 In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Equity is scaling outreach to rural women through digital channels and value chains.
🏦 2. KCB Bank Kenya
Program: Women in Business (WIB)
Loans Issued: KSh 9.4 billion to 38,000 women
Conditions: 10.5% interest; 3-month grace period; business registration required
Contact: 📧 womenbiz@kcbgroup.com | ☎ +254 711 087 000
💡 KCB’s new agribusiness incubator empowers women with climate-smart farming tools and export readiness support.
🔗 Read more on KCB’s Women in Business program
🏦 3. Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Program: Biashara Plus Loan
Loans Issued: KSh 6.8 billion through SACCO-linked groups
Conditions: Group-based lending; no personal collateral; interest from 9.8%
Contact: 📧 womenenterprise@co-opbank.co.ke | ☎ +254 703 027 000
👭 Leverages Kenya’s SACCO (savings and credit cooperatives) and Chama (community group) networks for rural outreach.
🏦 4. Absa Bank Kenya
Program: SHE Business + Women in Business Loans
Loans Issued: KSh 5.3 billion to 12,000 entrepreneurs
Conditions: Unsecured loans up to KSh 10M; interest from 10.9%; free coaching
Contact: 📧 she@absa.africa | ☎ +254 732 130 120
🤝 Provides dedicated women relationship managers and curated networking events.
🔗 Explore Absa’s SHE Program
🏦 5. Stanbic Bank Kenya
Program: DADA (Dare to Aspire Dare to Achieve)
Loans Issued (2024): KSh 4.7 billion
Conditions: Collateral-free; startup-friendly; interest from 11%
Contact: 📧 dada@stanbic.com | ☎ +254 711 068 888
🌍 In partnership with UN Women and SheTrades, DADA bridges finance gaps for peri-urban women entrepreneurs.
🏦 6. Family Bank
Program: Queen Banking
Loans Issued: KSh 3.1 billion to MSMEs
Conditions: Loans from KSh 50K–5M; simplified documentation; interest from 10%
Contact: 📧 queenbanking@familybank.co.ke | ☎ +254 703 095 445
⚖️ Bundles credit with health insurance, legal advisory, and wellness support.
🏦 7. NCBA Bank Kenya
Program: Women’s Business Loan
Loans Issued: KSh 2.9 billion
Conditions: 6–24 month terms; startup friendly; interest from 10.5%
Contact: 📧 womenloans@ncbagroup.com | ☎ +254 711 056 444
🏙️ Supports urban informal sector entrepreneurs in retail, beauty, and logistics.
🏦 8. Kenya Women Microfinance Bank (KWFT)
Program: Jitegemee Women Loans
Cumulative Loans Issued: Over KSh 14 billion (~USD 104M)
Conditions: Group lending model; from KSh 5,000; requires business group affiliation
Contact: 📧 info@kwftbank.com | ☎ +254 709 714 000
📍 Present in all 47 counties, KWFT is a trailblazer in women-focused rural finance.
🏦 9. Faulu Microfinance Bank
Program: Faulu Women
Loans Issued: KSh 1.6 billion to 9,000+ clients
Conditions: Group or collateralized loans; business plan required
Contact: 📧 womenservices@faulukenya.com | ☎ +254 709 823 000
📱 Emphasizes digital banking tools and scaling SME operations.
🏦 10. SMEP Microfinance Bank
Program: Women Empowerment Loans (WEL)
Loans Issued (2024/25): KSh 980 million (~USD 7.3M)
Conditions: Group model; 3–18 month repayment terms
Contact: 📧 women@smep.co.ke | ☎ +254 719 038 888
🍴 Targets food processing, education, and service microbusinesses.
💡 Conclusion: From CSR to Core Banking Strategy
Women’s financial inclusion in Kenya is no longer seen as corporate social responsibility—it’s central to bank strategy. With over KSh 62 billion (~USD 465 million) disbursed collectively, these 10 banks are closing the financing gap and building inclusive, resilient economies from the grassroots up.
🔗 Suggested Internal Links
- Kenya’s Financial Inclusion Outlook 2025
- Top SME Financing Trends in East Africa
- Digital Banking Tools Empowering Women in Africa
- Best Mobile Lending Apps in Kenya
- How Equity Bank Scales Women’s Enterprise
