In a significant move to reshape the country’s business landscape, NCBA Group has called on Kenyan corporations to prepare themselves for a major wave of global investment. This call to action came as the lender unveiled its ambitious five-year roadmap, designed to deepen its support for the most vital sectors of the national economy.
The announcement was made at the 2026 NCBA Corporate Golf Day held at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi. The event served as a high-level gathering for business leaders to discuss Kenya’s growing reputation as a magnet for international capital. Recent market shifts have already signaled this trend, including Nedbank Group’s move toward a majority stake in NCBA, the government’s stake sale in Safaricom to Vodacom, and Diageo’s plans to divest its shares in East African Breweries to Japan’s Asahi Group.
James Gossip, the Managing Director for NCBA Kenya, emphasized during the event that Kenya is a natural anchor for investment. He pointed out that the country’s sophisticated markets, strong institutions, and thriving tech scene make it a regional powerhouse. To keep pace with this evolution,Reports said that the bank is aggressively upgrading its digital tools, such as the Connect Plus platform, to help local businesses integrate more smoothly into global value chains.
The bank’s influence already reaches deep into the heart of the Kenyan economy. NCBA currently provides banking services to seven of the top ten SACCOs in the country and has a massive footprint in agriculture. It finances 60% of the sugar industry and supports more than half of the tea sector, along with a significant portion of the floriculture market. Given that agriculture contributes over 20% directly to the GDP, the bank’s role in these sectors is pivotal for national stability.
Looking ahead, the lender officially launched its UBUNTU Strategy for 2026–2030. This new framework is built on the philosophy of collaboration, aiming to foster closer ties between the bank and the institutions it serves to ensure long-term, sustainable growth. The strategy isn’t just about finance; it also carries a strong environmental component.
As a gesture of its commitment to sustainability, NCBA distributed 5,000 tree seedlings during the Nairobi event. This is part of a much larger mission to plant 10 million trees by 2030, balancing corporate growth with environmental preservation. As Zoyols observed at the gathering, the message from NCBA is clear: for Kenyan businesses to thrive on the world stage, they must marry digital efficiency with a disciplined, collaborative strategy.
