Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI)

KNCCI - NAIROBI

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry -Nairobi

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) -Nairobi County is a chapter of KNCCI, a non-profit autonomous and business membership organisation (BMO) established in 1965 as the umbrella body of the private sector in Kenya.

The Nairobi Chamber represents and protects interests of the business community in Nairobi by supporting the development of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), lobbying for a favourable environment for businesses in the County and promoting Nairobi as a preferred national/International business and investment hub.

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MSME COVID-19 RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM

APPLYING THE FUND

Ensure you have the following documents at the start of the application:

Copy of completed fund application form
Copy of owner’s national ID (attach IDs of all Partners/Directors)
Copy of KNCCI membership certificate
Copy of business registration (where applicable)
Copy of CR 12 (for registered companies)
Bank or M-PESA statements or proof of trade payables (rent payments, license fees, employee salaries etc) for the last one (1) year.
Personal M-Pesa number /Paybill/ Till number

There are two (2) ways of applying for the facility. Choose only one (1) of the following options:

Online application. Fill out the application Click here
Manual application. Download the application form here, fill and submit to your nearest KNCCI office Download here.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation are implementing the Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program. The aim of this program is to assist the MSMEs to ensure business continuity and sustainability. The target demography for this program will include the following: –

Youth-owned (18-35 years)
Women-owned (18-70 years)
Enterprises that support large number of youths (18-35 years)

The MSMEs need to have been in existence for at least one year and have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sectors we are targeting are Hawkers, Jua Kali & Boda Boda, Fashion Industry, Retailers and Restaurants.

The MSME finance facility is envisaged in the form of a short-term interest free and zero fee concessional loan. The loan amount sizes are KES 20,000 -30,000 and are repayable in two (2) months. The facility is a revolving fund, available to repeat borrowers upon repayment of the loan within two months.

KNCCI is implementing the program through its forty-seven (47) county chapters spread across the country. Click Here to find the address of your nearest KNCCI office.

We do not fund businesses that:

Sell drug-related substances including alcohol and tobacco,
Manufacture weapons and are involved in war-related activities,
Are in gambling and betting sectors,
Are in sex-related industries, or
Have ownership by state or parastatal actors.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Business MUST either be a micro or small enterprise:
1. Micro enterprise (less than 10 employees and annual turnover below Ksh.500,000)
2. Small enterprise (less than 50 employees and annual turnover below Ksh.5 million)
Business MUST be owned by youth (18-35 years), women (18-70 years) or enterprises that support a large number of youth (18-35 years)
Business MUST be a member of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI)
Owner of the business MUST have a valid Kenyan national ID
The business MUST have been operating and viable at least one (1) year prior to the outbreak of COVID-19
Owner of the business MUST be prepared to accept terms and conditions of the facility, which include use of funds for the intended purpose and repayment of the loan within two (2) months.
Business MUST NOT be:
1. Involved in sale of drug-related substances including alcohol and tobacco;
2. Manufacturing weapons or involved in war-related activities;
3. In gambling/betting sectors;
4. In sex-related industries;
5. Have ownership by state or parastatal actors.

CHECKLIST

Copy of completed fund application form
Copy of owner’s national ID (attach IDs of all Partners/Directors)
Copy of KNCCI membership certificate
Copy of business registration (where applicable)
Copy of CR 12 (for registered companies)
Bank or M-PESA statements or proof of trade payables (rent payments, license fees, employee salaries etc) for the last one (1) year.
Personal M-Pesa number /Paybill/ Till number

FAQ

What does the partnership between KNCCI and the Mastercard Foundation aim to achieve?

With support from the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program, KNCCI will support MSMEs through a loan facility with the aim of supporting them to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The loans will be administered by our partners Grassroots Business Fund (GBF) and Fourth Generation Capital (4G Capital).

Who is eligible to apply?

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that have been impacted by COVID-19 pandemic and:

Are youth-owned (18-35 years)
Are women-owned (18-70 years) or
Support a large number of youth (18-35 years)

Which sectors are you funding?

The intervention targets Hawkers, Jua Kali & Boda Boda, Fashion Industry, Retailers and Restaurants.

Are there sectors or industries that are not eligible?

Yes. We do not fund businesses that:

Sell drug-related substances including alcohol and tobacco,
Manufacture weapons and are involved in war-related activities,
Are in gambling and betting sectors,
Are in sex-related industries, or
Have ownership by state or parastatal actors.

How do I apply for the facility?

To apply for the facility, visit your nearest KNCCI office in any of the 47 counties. Applications can also be made online: https://www.kenyachamber.or.ke/kncci.msme-fund/

Do I need to attach any documents in my application?

Yes. In addition to the completed application form, you will be required to attach:

Copy of completed fund application form

Copy of owner’s national ID (attach IDs of all Partners/Directors)

Copy of KNCCI membership certificate

Copy of business registration (where applicable)

Copy of CR 12 (for registered companies)

Bank or M-PESA statements or proof of trade payables (rent payments, license fees, employee salaries etc) for the last one (1) year.

Personal M-Pesa number /Paybill/ Till number

How long will it take to process my application?

Your application will be processed in approximately 21 days or more depending on how soon your application gets to us

How do I know if my application is successful?

Successful applicants will be notified by 4G Capital during disbursement.

How will successful applicants receive the disbursement?

Disbursement is through mobile-based money transfer service M-Pesa

How much does my business qualify for?

The average loan size is Ksh. 20,000 – 30,000

What can I use the loan for?

The loan is intended to solely solve your immediate business cashflow problems.

How much is the application fee?

The application is free of charge

How much interest is charged on the loan?

The interest rate is 0%

Is the loan repayable?

Yes the loan is repayable, the duration of the loan is two (2) months

How do I repay the loan?

Repayment is through mobile-based money transfer service M-Pesa

Do I need to place any collateral?

No. The facility is collateral-free

Do I need to sign any agreement?

Yes. Successful applicants will be required to sign an agreement before disbursement of funds

Do I qualify for another loan after repayment?

Yes. There is a possibility to qualify for an additional loan after repayment.

I am not in business, can I apply for the facility?

The facility is only available to people with businesses

I am not a member of KNCCI, can I apply for the facility?

No, the facility is only available to members of KNCCI. Please get in touch with your nearest KNCCI office

I closed my business; can I apply for the facility?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria requirements

I want to start a business; can I apply for the facility?

No. The facility is only available to businesses that have been existence for at least one (1) prior to the COVID-19 pandemic

Services Offered by KNCCI-Nairobi

As a Business Membership Organization (BMO), our activities are based on member needs and problems, which includes economic and social issues.

Ordinary Certificate of Origin Kenya

KNCCI -Nairobi also assists exporters in Kenya to obtain the Ordinary Certificate of Origin (COO), an important international trade document that certifies that goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in Kenya. Issuance of COO’s by Chambers of commerce is an accepted practice worldwide. To apply for an ordinary […]

Education and Training

Through seminars and workshops members acquire business skills such as export marketing, record keeping, preparing business proposals, how and where to source business finance, among others..

Business Forums

Members participate in business forums where matters affecting their operations are discussed, resolutions passed and actions taken to put right any wrongs. It is at these forums, for instance, that new government policies and their effect on business operations are discussed.

Diplomatic Representation

The Chamber acts as a medium of communication between commercial sections of foreign embassies in Kenya and the business community. We also maintain constant communications with Kenya’s commercial attaches abroad for the benefit of our business community.

Trade Information and Business Advisory

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) – Nairobi has the expertise to advise companies in evaluating and implementing the most appropriate company investment structures in Kenya that meet their goals and maximize their tax efficiency. Our business advisory service includes: Kenya Government Policy Advisory Kenya Business Environment and Industry Surveys Kenya Labour Policy […]

Export Promotion Activities

The Chamber assists members to participate in foreign trade missions, trade fairs and exhibitions. Members also get to meet visiting trade delegations as well as receive trade inquiries from all over the world.

Inbound, Outbound and Trade Delegations

The Chamber organizes partnerships and joint venture meetings between Kenyan entrepreneurs to meet inbound business delegations, co-coordinates outgoing trade delegations and missions thus ensuring successful exploitation of business opportunities.

Internal Trade Promotion

The Chamber promotes trade by campaigning for business friendly economic measures and opposing those that tend to hinder the free exchange of products and services.

Multilateral, Bilateral and Region Integration:

In an attempt to overcome and successfully integrate and participate in the global market economy, Kenya is a member and signatory to a number of regional, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. To ensure that the interest of the Business Community are represented and to influence the decisions therein, the Chamber is an active member of […]

Memorandum of Understandings and Co-operations:

The Chamber has signed a number of co-operation agreements aimed at fostering trade, commercial and industrial co-operation with Chambers of Commerce and Trade Promotional Organizations. Through these agreements the Chamber is able to address and foster enabling trade relations with our trading partners, organizations and companies.

Advocacy Services

Being a membership organization the Chamber affords members a collective voice. It lobbies for the formulation of policies that support business development and for the repeal of those that adversely affect business operations. The Chamber also lobbies for the establishment and maintenance of business friendly infrastructures and tax regimes i.e. V.A.T, Single Business Permits

Membership Benefits

The following are the benefits which our members have, giving them a competitive edge in their businesses:

Affiliate Membership to all KNCCI Chambers.
Invitation to Chamber Events.
Membership Rate for Chamber Events.
Discounted Certificate of Origin Rates.
Information Bulletin-Biweekly Basis.
Access to Trade Fairs & Exhibitions
Promote Events on Chamber Calendar-Quarterly Basis.
Promote Business with Branding Material and Events.
Referral Programs.
Government Representation and Participation (round table meetings.)

JOIN THE CHAMBERS AND UPLIFT YOUR BUSINESS

Apply for Certificate of Origin (COO)

APPLY HERE