Sauti Sol has secured a major financial boost after landing an Sh8 million sponsorship deal from KCB Bank Kenya for this year’s SolFest 2025.
The multimillion-shilling partnership, signed with Sauti Sol Group Limited, is one of the most notable corporate investments in Kenya’s creative sector this year and is set to enhance the festival’s scale and efficiency.
Bien Aime Baraza reflected on the journey, recalling the early days when Sauti Sol opened their first account at the KCB Industrial Area branch more than a decade ago.
“It was after a gig we had done,” he said, adding that the group has banked with KCB for over 13 years. That early financial step has now grown into a major collaboration powering one of Africa’s fastest-rising festivals.
Now in its fifth edition, SolFest has cemented itself as a leading platform for Kenyan and African music, fashion, art, and youth culture.
With the new KCB partnership, organisers say the 2025 edition will be even more ambitious.
Sauti Sol Group Limited emphasised that the deal aligns with their mission to create global pathways for African creatives and uplift emerging talent.
“SolFest has always been about giving artists a world-class stage, and the support from KCB will help amplify that vision,” the group shared.
For KCB, the sponsorship is a strategic investment in a vibrant industry with immense potential. Angela Mwirigi, the bank’s Director of Digital Financial Services, highlighted the creative sector’s role in driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.
She said the collaboration with Sauti Sol is part of the bank’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and expanding opportunities for creatives.
“KCB, the official payments partner for SolFest 2025, will streamline digital payments, offer exclusive VIP platinum experiences, and enhance the festival’s tech experience through its upgraded Mobile App and a new SolFest Mini App with real-time updates and engagement features,” Mwirigi added.