Co-op Bank Celebrated at Global SME Finance Forum 2025 for Pioneering Innovations in SME Banking

In a spotlight on Africa’s burgeoning financial ecosystem, The Co-operative Bank of Kenya (Co-op Bank) was honored at the prestigious Global SME Finance Forum 2025 here for its unwavering commitment to innovation in business banking.

The recognition, presented during the forum’s awards ceremony on September 15, underscores the Kenyan lender’s role in delivering cutting-edge financial solutions tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of economic growth across the continent.

The three-day event, hosted at The Galleria and Convention Centre from September 15 to 17, drew policymakers, fintech pioneers, development finance institutions, and over 1,000 delegates from emerging markets worldwide.

Organized by the SME Finance Forum under the auspices of the World Bank Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the gathering focused on unlocking capital for SMEs through themes like improving market access, fostering entrepreneurial skills, and pioneering new financial instruments.

Amid plenary sessions, roundtables, and innovation hubs, the awards ceremony highlighted institutions driving scalable impact in SME financing.

Representing Co-op Bank at the gala were Benjamin Metho, Head of SME Banking, and Elizabeth Makokha, Head of Retail Trade Finance.

They received the accolade alongside forum leaders, including Qamar Saleem, Global SME Finance Forum Manager, and Vittorio Di Bello, FIG Industry Director. In a post-event statement shared on social media, Co-op Bank celebrated the honor as validation of its strategic push toward digital and customized tools that empower SMEs to thrive amid economic headwinds.

“This award reaffirms our dedication to transforming business banking through innovative products that address the unique needs of African entrepreneurs,” the bank noted in its announcement. The recognition aligns with Co-op Bank’s broader portfolio, which includes tailored credit lines, advisory services, and capacity-building programs designed to boost SME resilience.

With a growing loan book exceeding KSh 100 billion ($770 million) dedicated to SMEs, the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed institution has positioned itself as a key player in Kenya’s financial inclusion drive, serving over 200,000 business clients regionally.

The Global SME Finance Awards, now in their seventh year and endorsed by the G20’s Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, evaluated entrants on criteria such as reach, uniqueness, effectiveness, and scalability.

Co-op Bank was among the finalists announced in April, competing against global heavyweights like Access Bank PLC and BRAC Bank in categories including Product Innovation of the Year— a nod to its history of accolades in this space, having clinched the same title in 2019 and an honorary mention in 2021.

Industry observers hailed the win as a boon for Kenya’s reputation as an African fintech hub. “Co-op Bank’s focus on innovation isn’t just about products; it’s about ecosystem-building that creates jobs and sustainable growth,” said a forum attendee, echoing sentiments from deep-dive workshops on digital lending platforms.

As SMEs grapple with inflation and supply chain disruptions, such recognitions signal investor confidence in African banks’ ability to bridge the continent’s $331 billion SME financing gap, per IFC estimates.

For Co-op Bank, the Johannesburg triumph adds to a trophy cabinet brimming with regional honors, including EMEA Finance’s Best Bank in Kenya.

Looking ahead, the lender plans to expand its Michu digital wallet and trade finance offerings, aiming to onboard 50,000 more SMEs by year-end. As Gideon Muriuki, Co-op Bank Group Managing Director, reflected in past award remarks, “Empowering SMEs is investing in Africa’s future—we’re just getting started.”

The forum wrapped with calls for public-private partnerships to scale green financing and women-led ventures, setting the stage for next year’s event in a yet-to-be-announced location.

For Co-op Bank, the golden moment in Johannesburg serves as both milestone and mandate: innovate boldly, finance inclusively, and lead Africa’s SME revolution.