NCBA Partners With Kabarak University to Launch SME Business Development Programme Empowering Entrepreneurs Across Kenya

NCBA has announced a strategic partnership with Kabarak University to roll out a Business Development Programme (BDP) for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the country. The partnership is part of NCBA’s broader commitment to supporting SME growth through knowledge, capacity building, and practical business support.

The NCBA-Kabarak University collaboration will see the rollout of a 4-month structured training programme designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need to scale their businesses sustainably. BDP is built around 96 contact hours of in-depth training in strategic planning, compliance, product development, finance, risk management, and technology integration. It will also include interactive case studies, peer-to-peer roundtables, and field visits to expose participants to practical business environments.

“We believe that SMEs are the engine of economic growth in Kenya. This partnership with Kabarak University allows us to offer our customers strategic business skills and expert guidance to succeed in today’s complex and fast-evolving marketplace,” said Mr. Dennis Njau, NCBA Group Director Retail Banking.

He added, “This collaboration also mirrors a similar successful industry-academic initiative, such as the one we have with Strathmore Business School. Thus, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to driving financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.”

The training will be conducted by experienced faculty from Kabarak’s School of Business and Economics, alongside industry experts and seasoned professionals. Entrepreneurs will convene once a week, making the program both intensive and convenient for working business owners. The sessions will primarily take place at Kabarak University and other chosen locations in the Central and Northern Rift areas.

Speaking during the launch, Vice Chancellor of Kabarak University, Professor Henry Kiptiony Kiplangat, lauded the partnership, saying, “Our joint programme will unlock capacity within Kenya’s entrepreneurial sector by bridging the knowledge gap, limiting scalability and sustainability. Through this initiative, we are investing in resilient, future-ready enterprises.”

He added that the initiative underscores Kabarak University’s dedication to supporting Kenya’s development agenda by building the managerial and strategic capacity of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), a sector that remains central to creating the country’s economic resilience and job creation.

“Entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of our economy, through this programme, we are equipping them not to only with business knowledge but also with the adaptability required to thrive in an increasingly competitive and dynamic environment,” he concluded.

This program is available to NCBA’s SME clients, with the bank pledging to enrol at least 20 participants per group. The participation fee is KES 80,000, payable in two equal instalments. Additionally, NCBA will receive complimentary slots to attend certain events and workshops, and will co-sponsor major SME engagement forums in partnership with the university.

Entrepreneurs interested in joining the programme can register through NCBA or Kabarak University.

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