United Bank for Africa (UBA) Kenya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Supporting Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development (IYBA-SEED) programme to expand access to finance for youth-led enterprises and women-led green businesses in Kenya.

IYBA-SEED is a European multi-partner initiative funded by the European Union and the governments of France, Germany, and Slovakia. It is implemented by five development agencies: Expertise France (lead), GIZ (Germany), Enabel (Belgium), SAIDC (Slovakia), and SNV (Netherlands).

In Kenya, the programme is delivered by GIZ through its Employment Promotion for Women for the Green Transformation in Africa (WE4D) initiative, which focuses on women’s economic empowerment and sustainability.

The partnership highlights UBA Kenya’s commitment to inclusive banking and SME empowerment while leveraging GIZ’s expertise in sustainable economic development. Together, the institutions will design innovative financial solutions and build stronger pathways for women and youth entrepreneurs to thrive.

A central pillar of the collaboration is equipping UBA Kenya’s staff with a deeper understanding of the SME ecosystem. Through GIZ’s technical support, the bank will enhance its ability to develop inclusive financial products that go beyond traditional collateral requirements.

Under the MoU, UBA Kenya and GIZ-WE4D will:

Develop alternative financial services such as movable asset-based lending, leasing, cash-flow financing, and gender-intentional credit scoring.

Roll out loan application toolkits and training programmes to boost SME credit readiness.

Deliver tailored financial literacy programmes for SMEs while upskilling UBA staff.

Create networking platforms linking financial service providers and enterprise support organizations to foster collaboration and capital flows.

Mr. Thomas Jaeschke, Team Leader of WE4D at GIZ Kenya, noted: “This collaboration with UBA Kenya represents an important step in building inclusive financial systems that respond to the realities of young and women-led enterprises. By combining GIZ’s technical expertise with UBA’s financial services, we can co-create innovative solutions that expand access to finance, build capacity, and promote green and sustainable growth.”

UBA Kenya Managing Director/CEO, Ms. Mary Mulili, welcomed the initiative, stating: “At UBA Kenya, we believe SMEs are at the heart of Africa’s economic transformation. This partnership with GIZ is not only about lending, it is about equipping our staff with the tools, skills, and insights to truly understand SME needs and respond with inclusive, practical solutions. We are committed to enhancing our lending capacity, particularly for women and youth entrepreneurs, so they can access the capital, knowledge, and networks they need to thrive.”

Through this partnership, UBA Kenya reinforces its role as a catalyst for SME growth in Kenya’s economy, with a strong focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and green transformation.