Co-op Bank wins global award for SME product innovation

Co-operative Bank of Kenya strategy moves beyond traditional lending to create a digital and financial ecosystem for small businesses. [File, Standard]

Tier one lender Co-operative Bank of Kenya (Co-op Bank) has been recognised for its pioneering work in small business finance, winning the "Product Innovation of the Year (Africa)" award at the Global SME Finance Awards 2025.

The award, hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the SME Finance Forum, endorses the lender's strategy for empowering Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). The bank was honoured at a ceremony in Johannesburg for its "Full-Spectrum Approach to MSME Growth."