UBA Kenya Bank in conjunction with the State Department of Devolution to launch a County SME Seed Capital Program to enable SMEs and startups at the county level receive grants via the Tony Emlumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program.

The program was founded in 2015 by the Chairman of the United Bank of Africa PLC Tony Elumelu to create prosperity for all by supporting African Entrepreneurs.

While speaking during the launching ceremony of the program UBA Kenya Bank CEO Chike Isiuwe said the bank will be involved in the development of Kenya’s SME sector and will offer a Sh634500 grant to SME sector of the country.

Apart from the grant, Isiuwe also revealed the bank will offer capacity building.


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“We have partnered with the State Department of Devolution to make this program available to every Kenyan SME and startup in every county. Through this partnership, UBA will play a big role in upscaling the SME sector of the country by giving them access to a grant of USD5000 as well as capacity building offered in the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program,” Isiuwe said.

The bank called upon SMEs and startups with business ideas to explore to apply for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program by the end of March at any UBA Kenya Bank branch in the country or apply online.


Principal Secretary in the State Department of Devolution, Teresia Mbaika while giving her speech said the government considers the partnership with UBA Kenya bank as an opportunity to empower Kenyans in the SME sector.

Mbaika also noted UBA Kenya Bank’s intervention supports a couple of Kenya Kwanza’s manifesto pillars.

 “The State Department of Devolution considers the partnership with UBA Kenya Bank an opportunity to empower Kenyans in the SME sector with skills, knowledge, and the appropriate attitude as a catalyst for sustainable development,” Mbaika said.


“This intervention by UBA Bank directly supports two Kenya Kwanza (KK) manifesto priority pillars; Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Economy (MSME) and Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy.”

CoG Representative, Harold Ngeno, Council of assembly Forum, Philemon Sabulei also attended the ceremony.

Since its establishment, the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program has funded over 15, 847 young entrepreneurs in 54 countries across the continent of Africa including Kenya.