By Steve Sabai,
National Bank of Kenya (NBK) and Centum Real Estate have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at making homeownership and property investment more affordable, accessible and financially sustainable for thousands of Kenyans.
The partnership, formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Kilifi, seeks to bridge the financing gap that has long prevented many aspiring homeowners and investors from entering the property market. By combining NBK’s financial expertise with Centum Real Estate’s extensive experience in developing master-planned urban communities, the two institutions are introducing innovative financing solutions tailored to the needs of modern homebuyers.
Under the agreement, customers will have access to flexible mortgage products covering home purchases, land acquisition and construction financing. The financing packages are designed around individual financial capabilities, allowing borrowers to repay through affordable monthly instalments rather than being overwhelmed by the total purchase price.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, National Bank of Kenya Managing Director George Odhiambo described the collaboration as a significant milestone in expanding access to property ownership across the country.
“This partnership represents our shared commitment to enabling homeownership, supporting investment in real estate and providing customers with tailored financial solutions that help them achieve their aspirations. By combining our financial expertise and customer reach with Centum’s proven real estate capabilities, we are creating practical solutions that make property ownership more accessible to a wider segment of the market,” Odhiambo said.
Centum Real Estate also emphasized that the initiative is designed to transform homeownership from a distant dream into an achievable reality.
General Manager for Vipingo Development, Martin Kariuki, noted that quality housing should not remain beyond the reach of ordinary Kenyans.
“A good home should be more than something people admire from a distance. It should be something they can understand, plan for and confidently work towards.
This partnership connects quality housing with a predictable financing path, allowing more Kenyans to realistically pursue property ownership,” he said.
The partnership also received backing from Access Bank Group, NBK’s parent company.
Access Bank Regional Managing Director for East Africa and Country Managing Director for Kenya, Ralph Opara, said the collaboration extends beyond financing property transactions and reflects the group’s broader commitment to sustainable economic development.
He observed that the initiative leverages Access Bank Group’s international financial strength and market expertise to unlock investment opportunities, promote wealth creation and support Kenya’s long-term economic growth.
A key highlight of the partnership is its customer-centric financing model, which encourages prospective buyers to focus on what they can comfortably afford each month instead of being discouraged by the overall cost of a property.
For example, a studio apartment valued at Ksh 2.7 million can be financed through manageable monthly repayments, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for first-time homeowners and property investors.
Another distinctive feature of the arrangement is its investor-friendly mortgage structure. Buyers will only begin servicing their mortgage after the completion and handover of their units, allowing them to generate rental income that can subsequently support their loan repayments.
The two organizations believe this approach will not only stimulate greater participation in Kenya’s real estate sector but also accelerate wealth creation by making investment property more financially attainable.
Centum Real Estate, one of East Africa’s leading mixed-use urban developers, has built a reputation for delivering integrated residential, commercial and industrial developments across Kenya and Uganda.
Meanwhile, National Bank of Kenya, a subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, continues to expand its footprint through a nationwide network of branches and digital banking services, providing financial solutions to individuals, businesses and corporate clients.
The NBK–Centum partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in expanding access to homeownership, stimulating property investment and contributing to Kenya’s broader economic development agenda by making quality housing more attainable for a larger segment of the population.
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