When a bank says it is “customer obsessed,” you expect words, not action.

However, last week, NCBA Bank walked the talk, literally, by hitting the road on a tour of the Central Kenya to engage directly with its customers across the region.

The high-level visit, led by NCBA Kenya Managing Director James Gossip, saw the bank’s leadership make stops in Kerugoya, Karatina, Nyeri, and Nanyuki.

The team met farmers, entrepreneurs, hospital administrators, and manufacturers, the heartbeat of Kenya’s economy, to hear first-hand how NCBA can fuel their growth journeys.

“Our strategy is built on being truly customer obsessed. This means sitting with our customers, listening to the constraints they face, understanding their aspirations and co-creating solutions together,” said Gossip during one of the engagements.

Why Central Kenya?

NCBA chose Mt Kenya region because it is Kenya’s agricultural and trading powerhouse, producing tea, coffee, horticulture, and dairy that sustain both livelihoods and the national economy.

Strengthening ties here is a strategic priority for NCBA Bank, which now has over 100 branches countrywide and is positioning itself as the trusted growth partner for SMEs.

Gossip calls NCBA branches a “goldmine of useful ideas” with the tour filled with listening sessions, luncheons, and site visits, each generating insights to shape tailored solutions that solve real customer pain points.

Here are the inspiring stories of some of the leading SMEs the NCBA top leadership led by Gossip had a chance to visit during their grand tour of the Central Kenya region last week:

Mazao Na Afya Group – From a Dream to a National Agri-Empire

Founded in 1997 by Dr Peter Karanja, a former agricultural extension officer, Mazao Na Afya Group has grown into a diversified agricultural services powerhouse.

Its portfolio spans agrovet distribution (Mazao Na Afya Ltd), bulk seedling supply (Agitech Seedlings), the Agitech Grand Expo for farmers, and Mazao Na Afya Sacco to offer financial services to members.

Operating in Mwea, Ruiru, Loitoktok, Malindi, and Bura, and leveraging its Mtolori Mobile App, the group uses NCBA’s financial solutions to keep its supply chains robust, fund farmer support programs, and promote food security.

Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital – Healthcare Meets Finance

In Othaya, Nyeri County, NCBA officials visited the Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital, a Level 6 teaching and referral facility gazetted as a state corporation in late 2024.

With about 450 staff and plans to build Mwai Kibaki Towers to boost bed capacity, the referral hospital is fast becoming a key healthcare hub for the region.

NCBA is supporting the hospital by opening a development account through its Nyeri branch and onboarding staff into institutional banking schemes, a move that boosts both its operations and staff welfare.

Johjam Printers – Turning an Idea into KES 150M Business

Johjam Printers Limited is a powerful example of how SMEs can scale quickly with the right financial partner.

Founded in 2021 by siblings John, James, and Loise to supply packaging for Salama Millers, it has grown into a key supplier of customised flour and grain packaging bags for Kenya’s milling sector.

Today, Johjam Printers records annual sales exceeding Sh150 million.

Through NCBA, the company accesses forex services and working capital loans that allow it to meet demand and grow sustainably.

Partner for SMEs

NCBA’s tour of Mt Kenya and the above businesses was both a courtesy call and a commitment to co-create real solutions with Kenya’s entrepreneurs and institutions.

From agro-distribution to healthcare to manufacturing, NCBA is proving that it understands the hurdles SMEs face, cash flow, access to credit, and forex, and is willing to tailor solutions that unlock growth.

For SMEs across Kenya, this is the right time to seek a partner who listens and acts.

The NCBA model of customer obsession, backed by a nationwide branch network and a range of digital and financial products, makes it one of the most compelling partners for businesses ready to scale.

To start your growth journey with NCBA, visit: https://ke.ncbagroup.com/