Absa Bank Kenya, Unilever launch new Billion-KSH SME financing deal

Absa Bank Kenya and Unilever Kenya have partnered to launch a KES4 billion ($30.9 million) financing programme aimed at improving working capital access for distributors and strengthening Kenya’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chain.

The initiative will leverage Absa’s Wezesha Stock digital lending platform, allowing eligible Unilever distributors to access unsecured financing of up to KES10 million, with loans of up to KES5 million processed within 48 hours.

The financing package also includes Local Purchase Order (LPO) financing, invoice discounting, and asset finance to support inventory purchases and distribution logistics.

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Absa Bank Kenya’s Interim Managing Director and CEO, Yusuf Omari, said the partnership is designed to remove financing barriers that have historically limited business growth.

“Through Wezesha Stock, we are removing long-standing barriers to capital, enabling businesses to unlock new opportunities and strengthening the entire ecosystem,” Omari said.

Unlike conventional lending, the programme assesses distributors based on their trading history within Unilever’s supply chain rather than requiring physical collateral, making it easier for SMEs to access credit.

Unilever Kenya Managing Director Luck Ochieng said the financing initiative will support the company’s network of more than 140,000 retailers by helping distributors improve stock availability and expand their operations.

The partnership reflects growing collaboration between banks and multinational companies to expand access to digital financing, strengthen supply chains, and accelerate SME growth in Kenya.