Stanbic Bank Kenya and Simba Corporation launched on June 19, 2026, a groundbreaking offer: 100% asset financing for businesses — covering vehicles, equipment and energy solutions — with no setup fees and a 60-day repayment moratorium. The initiative directly tackles one of the main barriers to SME growth in Kenya.
Zero Deposit, Zero Fees, 60 Days to Breathe
The solution allows businesses to acquire productive assets without any upfront equity contribution. Pricing is based on each client's risk profile, and no setup fees are charged. The 60-day moratorium is the standout innovation: it gives borrowers time to deploy the assets — and start generating revenue from them — before the first repayment is due, reversing the typical logic of bank credit.
Three Target Asset Categories
The financing solution covers commercial vehicles, industrial equipment and energy solutions — a broad scope that addresses most of Kenya's SME investment needs. The partnership with Simba Corporation — a Kenyan conglomerate active in automotive, energy and equipment distribution — combines access to finance with access to assets through Simba's distribution networks.
A Strong Signal for Capital Access in East Africa
Stanbic Kenya estimates that around 80% of African businesses struggle to access traditional financing. This partnership is part of a broader trend: since 2020, the bank has been developing a Catalytic Fund targeting startups and SMEs in agritech, healthtech and the creative economy. The Simba solution extends that ambition to a wider, more established business base.
Why It Matters
For East Africa, this partnership sends a clear message: commercial banks are beginning to bridge the gap that venture capital cannot fill alone. By financing assets at 100%, Stanbic is betting on the organic growth of existing SMEs rather than their transformation into tech startups — a pragmatic approach that could inspire other financial actors across the Indian Ocean region.