I&M Group targets 50 million lives as MSME funding hits Ksh.18.3B
From left: Madam Joyce Nthuku, Regional Forest Conservator Nairobi, Kenya Forest Service (KFS), KFS Commandant Mr. Mohammed A. Mohammed, I&M Group Regional CEO, Mr. Kihara Maina, Group Executive Director, I&M Group, Mr. Sarit Raja Shah and Chairman, I&M Foundation, Mr. Eric Kimani pose for a photo during the launch of I&M 2025 Sustainability Report and official handover of Project Imarisha at the Ngong Forest Sanctuary.
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I&M Group has stepped up its financial inclusion and sustainability drive, targeting to positively impact more than 50 million lives by 2030, as financing to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) rose to Ksh.18.3 billion in 2025.
The regional financial services group said its sustainability strategy is increasingly being integrated into its business, financing, governance and risk-management decisions, with a focus on expanding economic opportunities while supporting environmental resilience across its five markets.
The group’s 2025 Sustainability Report shows that MSME financing increased from Ksh.13 billion in 2024 to Ksh.18.3 billion in 2025, representing a 41 per cent increase. Digital lending also nearly doubled to Ksh.20.6 billion, from Ksh.11.5 billion a year earlier.
Financing through its wider ecosystem rose to Ksh.5.9 billion from Ksh.3 billion.
I&M said the increased funding reflects its efforts to dismantle barriers to capital for MSMEs, smallholder farmers, emerging entrepreneurs and other underserved groups through its regional banking footprint and digital platforms.
The group has identified inclusive growth as a key priority going forward, with plans to expand financial solutions for MSMEs, women, young people and underserved communities to support enterprise growth, job creation and greater financial resilience.
Regional CEO Kihara Maina said the sustainability report marks a shift towards making sustainability a central consideration in the group’s growth strategy.
“Our 2025 Sustainability Report is both an accountability milestone and a statement about the kind of institution we want to become. As we grow across the region, we want that growth to expand economic opportunity, strengthen the resilience of our customers and communities, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” Maina said.
The group’s sustainability ambition is anchored on three pillars: enabling last-mile financial solutions, building a sustainable business and enhancing quality of life. It has already positively impacted more than 10 million lives and aims to reach more than 50 million by 2030.
Beyond MSME financing, I&M recorded Ksh.3.7 billion in green finance contracts and Ksh.2.3 billion in agricultural finance contracts in 2025. The group also plans to expand financing for renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture and sustainable infrastructure.
Its community investments have included more than Ksh.39 million in economic empowerment initiatives, while over 38,000 women and young people have been empowered through its programmes.
More than 300,000 people were reached through community investment programmes, alongside the planting of more than one million trees.
Maina said the group’s focus will now shift towards measurable delivery and stronger accountability.
“The report provides a foundation from which we can set clearer priorities, improve how we measure progress and remain accountable for the outcomes we deliver,” he said.
I&M operates across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Mauritius, with 119 branches, 154 ATMs and more than 3,600 employees, giving it a broad platform to scale its financial inclusion agenda across East Africa.
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