KCB and Visa Unveil Powerful Business Credit Card Solution to Empower Kenyan SMEs

Kenya’s small and medium-sized enterprises are set to gain expanded access to structured credit after KCB Group partnered with Visa to roll out a new business credit card targeting SMEs. The initiative is designed to ease cash flow constraints, enhance digital payment capabilities, and strengthen financial inclusion for enterprises navigating a tight operating environment.

KCB Visa business credit card solution empower Kenyan SMEs with flexible financing

The new card solution seeks to address one of the most persistent challenges facing SMEs — limited access to affordable and predictable credit. By providing a revolving credit facility tailored to business needs, KCB and Visa aim to support working capital management, supplier payments, travel expenses, and operational costs.

Unlike traditional short-term loans that require repeated application processes, the business credit card offers ongoing access to pre-approved limits, giving enterprises financial flexibility. The product also integrates digital tracking tools, allowing business owners to monitor expenses in real time, improve transparency, and maintain clearer financial records.

The partnership aligns with a broader strategy to digitize SME transactions and reduce overreliance on cash-based systems. SMEs contribute significantly to Kenya’s GDP and employment base, yet many remain underbanked or dependent on informal financing channels.

Industry analysts note that structured credit products linked to global payment networks could strengthen supplier relationships and improve transaction efficiency. “Access to predictable credit lines can fundamentally improve SME resilience, especially in volatile markets,” says Nairobi-based financial analyst Peter Mwangi. “The combination of banking infrastructure and global payment rails enhances both liquidity and credibility for small enterprises.”

Digital payments strategy strengthens SME growth ecosystem

The KCB Visa business credit card solution empower Kenyan SMEs not only through financing but also by accelerating digital adoption. Visa’s global acceptance network provides SMEs with seamless local and international transaction capabilities, enabling easier cross-border trade and supplier payments.

For KCB, the product reinforces its position within Kenya’s competitive SME banking segment. By leveraging data-driven credit assessment models, the bank can extend financing to a broader range of enterprises while managing risk exposure.

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The initiative comes at a time when SMEs are grappling with rising operating costs, constrained consumer spending, and tighter liquidity conditions. Enhanced access to formal credit instruments may provide businesses with the financial agility needed to sustain operations and pursue expansion opportunities.

From a macroeconomic perspective, strengthening SME financing mechanisms supports job retention and economic stability. As SMEs represent a significant share of Kenya’s workforce, improved liquidity can translate into broader economic resilience.

While uptake will depend on awareness, credit qualification criteria, and responsible borrowing practices, the collaboration signals a growing commitment within Kenya’s financial sector to innovate around SME financing challenges.