NCBA Bank: Enabling SME Growth Through Tailored Financial Solutions – A Case With Neu Foods

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Kenya’s economy—creating jobs, innovating across sectors, and contributing significantly to national growth. The sector employs nearly 86 percent of the Kenyan population and contributes about 45 percent to the country’s GDP.

Yet, despite their critical role, scaling operations sustainably remains a major challenge for many SMEs. Access to finance, efficient payment systems, reliable digital platforms, and effective cash flow management are persistent pain points. This is where forward-looking banking partners step in—not just to provide accounts, but to power growth across entire value chains.

A case in point is NCBA Bank’s partnership with Neu Foods Ltd, a bakery and food-processing company based in Eldoret. The company produces baked goods such as bread and related products, serving the Eldoret area with both retail sales and delivery services. Like many agribusinesses, Neu Foods must navigate seasonal cash flow fluctuations, raw material purchases, inventory costs, payroll obligations, and equipment maintenance—all while waiting for payments and balancing customer demand.

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“Starting a business is all about an idea that can work. At Neu Foods, we make bread. In Kenya, almost every household consumes a loaf every day. Currently, we are doing 450 to 500 crates daily and have 30 employees,” explains Japheth Kipsang, Director at Neu Foods.

Here is his interview:

For businesses like his, financial tools are not mere conveniences but lifelines. NCBA’s suite of SME-focused solutions—ranging from Overdraft facilities to the ConnectPlus internet banking platform and NCBA Till—has enabled Neu Foods to streamline operations and maintain growth.

“In 2019, I was looking for funding to buy a truck, and that’s when I approached NCBA Bank. I had spoken to other banks but realized NCBA had the best offer at the time. They funded the truck and enrolled my business in NCBA Now,” recalls Kipsang.

Since then, digital tools such as NCBA Now and NCBA Connect have become central to Neu Foods’ operations. “These products have helped me run and monitor cash flow without paperwork. Through them, I can make payments, receive sales proceeds, and track transactions in real-time,” he adds.

Neu Foods’ story is a testament to how the right banking partner can empower SMEs—not only to survive but to thrive—ultimately strengthening the backbone of Kenya’s economy.

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