Kenya’s creative economy has long been rich in talent but constrained by access to capital. Musicians, filmmakers, designers, event producers, and digital creators consistently generate cultural and economic value, yet many have remained excluded from formal financing because their work does not fit traditional business models. Irregular income, project-based earnings, and informal structures have made it difficult for creatives to be “seen” by financial institutions, despite their growing contribution to the economy.
A new partnership between NCBA and HEVA Fund marks a meaningful turning point for the sector. Rather than forcing creatives to adapt to rigid financial systems, this collaboration is built around how creative businesses actually operate. By designing financing solutions that align with production cycles, events, touring schedules, and digital distribution, the partnership acknowledges that creative work is both artistic and entrepreneurial. This shift moves the conversation away from whether creatives are bankable, and toward how financial systems can better serve them.
One of the most significant aspects of this initiative is its shared-risk financing model. By jointly assessing and supporting creative enterprises, NCBA and HEVA reduce entry barriers while offering more flexible and responsive terms. This approach reflects a growing confidence in the commercial viability of creative MSMEs and recognizes that risk, when understood and structured properly, can be managed rather than avoided. It also signals a more mature engagement between finance and the creative sector, one rooted in partnership rather than exclusion.
Beyond access to capital, the initiative strengthens the broader creative ecosystem. Financing is paired with support for business development, financial literacy, and long-term sustainability, helping creatives move from surviving project to project toward building scalable enterprises. For emerging artists and studios, this creates a clearer pathway from talent and exposure to income stability, growth, and financial resilience.
This collaboration reflects a reimagining of the creative economy’s place in Kenya’s growth story. By integrating creatives into mainstream financial systems, the partnership helps unlock innovation, youth employment, and economic transformation at scale. It is a reminder that when talent is matched with intentional capital and supportive structures, the creative economy can move from potential to power.
