Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) today hosted its inaugural Customer Networking Forum, bringing together KDC customers and development partners to strengthen partnerships, foster business collaboration and unlock new opportunities for sustainable enterprise growth.
Held under the theme “Building Synergies for Sustainable Growth,” the forum provided a platform for customers to network, share experiences, explore business-to-business opportunities and gain insights into emerging financing solutions, export markets, capital markets and other opportunities critical to enterprise growth.
KDC boss Norah Ratemo leads a critical meeting. Photo: KDC Source: X
The event also showcased success stories of KDC-supported enterprises that are creating jobs, driving industrialisation and transforming communities across the country.
The Principal Secretary for MSME Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, commended KDC for creating a platform that brings together businesses, Government and development partners to strengthen Kenya’s enterprise ecosystem.
She noted that sustainable enterprise growth requires more than access to finance, calling for stronger collaboration, knowledge sharing and partnerships that enable businesses to scale, innovate and compete in regional and international markets.
The Principal Secretary further challenged enterprises to leverage the networks created through the forum, explore emerging market opportunities and take advantage of Government and private sector initiatives that support business growth, value addition and job creation.
Speaking during the forum, KDC Director General Norah Ratemo said the Corporation is committed to building a vibrant customer ecosystem where businesses not only access long-term finance but also connect with one another to create commercial partnerships, strengthen value chains and unlock new growth opportunities.
KDC boss Norah Ratemo leads a critical meeting. Photo: KDC Source: X
“As Kenya’s Development Finance Institution, our role extends beyond financing. We are creating an ecosystem where our customers can collaborate, trade with one another, share experiences and access opportunities that strengthen their businesses and contribute to Kenya’s economic transformation,” she said.
Ms Ratemo noted that KDC’s customer portfolio spans manufacturing, post-harvest management, tourism, health, Climate Change, digital and creative economy, presenting immense opportunities for enterprises to establish supply chain linkages, cross-sell products and services, and build long-term business partnerships.
Ms Ratemo further highlighted KDC’s ongoing efforts to mobilise additional resources to support enterprise growth through initiatives such as the National Automotive Sector Development Project, the proposed financing programme for medium-sized enterprises, the partnership with the Africa Guarantee Fund (AGF), the proposed Green Investment Fund, KfW-supported SME financing and the proposed Industrial Levy Fund. Collectively, these initiatives represent well over KShs. 18.5 billion and more than USD 400 million in financing opportunities that will strengthen enterprise growth, industrialisation and job creation.
The KDC Customer Networking Forum marks the beginning of an ongoing customer engagement platform that will deepen collaboration among customers, Government and development partners while enabling enterprises to access financing, markets, strategic partnerships and business advisory services that drive sustainable socio-economic development.
About Kenya Development Corporation
Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) is Kenya’s single, cross-sector Development Finance Institution mandated to provide long-term financing and strategic business advisory services to medium and large-scale enterprises. KDC partners with businesses, Government and development partners to catalyse investment, strengthen value chains and accelerate Kenya’s industrialisation and sustainable socio-economic development through innovative financing, technical support and strategic partnerships.
