Incoming Standard Chartered Kenya Managing and CEO Birju Sanghrajka at the KIICO Conference./HANDOUT
Standard Chartered has unveiled an ambitious plan to scale up sustainable financing in Kenya, aiming to unlock billions in investment and drive growth across key sectors of the economy.
The lender said it will deepen partnerships with development finance institutions (DFIs) and public agencies to channel capital into agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure.
The move comes as Kenya attracts growing investor interest, with more than $2.9 billion in commitments secured during the Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO 2026).
Speaking at the conference, incoming Standard Chartered Kenya Managing Director and CEO Birju Sanghrajka outlined the bank’s strategy, saying the focus is not just on increasing deal numbers but reshaping how capital flows into Africa.
“Our ambition is to scale sustainable financing innovations with DFIs and governments, so we can mobilise more capital into agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure,” he said.
He added: “We are not just focused on deal volumes. We want to transform how capital flows in Africa. By blending concessional and commercial finance, we can derisk large projects, crowd in private investors, and ensure financing reaches sectors that directly improve livelihoods.”
The bank plans to build on previous transactions, including a $100 million facility with British International Investment, a $70 million programme with the International Finance Corporation, and Safaricom’s $130 million green bond.
These deals are expected to serve as a foundation for more innovative financing structures.
An increase in financing partnerships is expected to improve access to affordable, long-term capital for Kenyan businesses. This could enable manufacturers to scale production, healthcare providers to expand facilities, and agribusinesses to modernise operations.
Projections linked to the KIICO investments indicate the potential to create more than 63,000 jobs across priority sectors, offering a boost to employment and economic activity.
The broader economic impact could also be significant. According to industry estimates, Kenya has an untapped export potential of about $5.3 billion in manufactured goods, highlighting room for expansion if competitiveness improves.
Increased healthcare investment is expected to enhance workforce productivity, while modernised agriculture could raise rural incomes by between 15 and 20 per cent for smallholder farmers.
Sanghrajka noted that Nairobi is increasingly positioning itself as a regional financial hub, capable of attracting and deploying global capital efficiently.
“By anchoring these financing innovations in Kenya, we can scale them across East Africa, attracting international investors to sectors that will define the region’s future growth,” he said.
Standard Chartered said it will continue expanding collaboration with DFIs, public institutions, and fintechs as it positions Kenya at the centre of its regional strategy for sustainable and inclusive investment.