The Co-operative Bank of Kenya has emerged as the Winner of the Product Innovation of the Year (Africa) at the 8th annual Global SME Finance Awards.

The accolade, presented by the SME Finance Forum in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and backed by the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), singled out Co-op Bank for its groundbreaking approach to serving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

This recognition places Co-op Bank among the continent’s most innovative financial institutions, spotlighting its holistic approach to empowering MSMEs through tailored products, digital ecosystems, and inclusive financing models.

The 2025 awards featured enhanced benchmarking against four market segments: Commercial Banks, Development Finance Institutions, Non-Bank Lenders, and Technology Innovators.

Winners were recognized in multiple categories, including Product Innovation, Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs, SME Financier of the Year, and Sustainable SME Financier of the Year.

Co-op Bank stood out for its innovative SME-focused offerings, including customized financing solutions, digital platforms that ease access to credit, and sector-specific products designed to meet the unique needs of entrepreneurs across industries.

The lender has also integrated technology with customer-centric approaches, enabling SMEs to access capital more efficiently while navigating economic challenges.

Co-op Bank’s partnership-based lending model has allowed thousands of small businesses to access affordable credit that would otherwise be out of reach.

Through tailored products like, asset finance, trade financing, and unsecured working capital loans, the bank has equipped entrepreneurs with the resources to scale operations and withstand market fluctuations.

Its recent push into digital lending platforms has further widened access, offering instant loans to SMEs via mobile and online banking channels.