Sumac Microfinance Bank has raised US$ 2 million in expansion capital through a transaction arranged by Noblestride Capital, strengthening its ability to lend to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Kenya.
- •The funding marks the latest in a series of successful capital raises facilitated by Noblestride, bringing the total amount secured for Sumac to approximately US$ 7.5 million.
- •The additional resources will support the expansion of Sumac’s loan portfolio, enabling the institution to serve more entrepreneurs and small businesses at a time when access to affordable credit remains a major challenge in Kenya.
- •Licensed as a deposit-taking microfinance institution in Kenya, Sumac operates across key urban and peri-urban centers, offering business loans, agribusiness financing, trade finance, forex services, and mobile banking.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), MSMEs account for 98% of all businesses and contribute over 30% to the GDP, yet they consistently cite limited access to finance as one of their biggest obstacles to growth.
While large commercial banks dominate Kenya’s financial system, microfinance banks and deposit-taking MFIs have steadily grown their footprint by targeting entrepreneurs, farmers, and traders who form the backbone of the economy.
Noblestride Capital, a financial advisory firm specializing in fundraising and M&A across Sub-Saharan Africa, has partnered with Sumac on multiple rounds of capital raising.
The latest funding round comes against the backdrop of a tight credit environment, with many traditional lenders cautious about extending financing to small businesses due to perceived risks. Despite the demand, the microfinance sector has had a rough decade, with three of the 14 MFBs accounting for 87.5% of total losses and only three recording profits in 2024.