By PATRICK ALUSHULAMore by this AuthorCo-operative Bank #ticker:COOP has rolled out engagement forums with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) spread out across counties as it seeks to streamline their business models and make them worth lending to. In partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the tier-one lender wants to utilise a $150 million (Sh15.2 billion) partnership programme to provide affordable financing and business training for Kenyan MSMEs. This will also offer a boost to the MSME loan book, which had in 2017 declined by nine per cent. Available data showing that they account for a majority of Kenya’s private sector, with many running as unregistered businesses. Speaking during the Nakuru County MSME customer networking forum on Friday, Co-operative Bank head of business banking Moses Gitau said the kitty will unlock support for small businesses through unsecured loans.

Source: Daily Nation March 12, 2019 12:00 UTC