Invest International, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dutch embassies, and VNO-NCW (the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers), has launched financing hubs in Kenya and Nigeria. These hubs are designed to support Dutch small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing financial challenges when doing business in Africa. The Kenyan hub, officially opened on October 14 during a trade mission to Nairobi, aims to bridge the financing gap many Dutch entrepreneurs encounter in Kenya. This initiative will strengthen trade relations between the Netherlands and African nations, at a time when Dutch banks are scaling back their presence in emerging markets.
Financial support globally
In addition to the Kenya and Nigeria hubs, Invest International is exploring options to open similar centers in other regions outside Africa, ensuring Dutch entrepreneurs can access advisory services and financial support globally.
Hans Docter, interim CEO of Invest International, highlighted the significance of these hubs: “Kenya and Nigeria rank among the top five export destinations in Africa for the Netherlands. While opportunities abound for Dutch businesses, especially in sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and technology, navigating these markets can be particularly challenging for SMEs. Access to basic financial services—such as opening a bank account or securing working capital—often involves complex regulations and bureaucratic hurdles. For smaller enterprises, these challenges can become insurmountable. Having a reliable partner on the ground to guide and provide financing is invaluable.”
Strategic role of Invest International
As a state-backed financial institution, Invest International is committed to helping Dutch entrepreneurs realize their international business ambitions. The new hubs in Africa will provide Dutch SMEs with vital support, especially in navigating the unique financial ecosystems in emerging markets. Beyond bolstering Dutch exports, the hubs aim to foster stronger economic ties and create local employment opportunities in Africa—an issue recently highlighted during youth protests in Kenya, which emphasized the need for more jobs and economic growth.
Competitive Edge of Dutch Companies
Docter also stressed the importance of improving the Netherlands’ competitive position globally: “We need to be aware of what other countries are doing to support their entrepreneurs. Our financing hubs are modeled after successful German initiatives that have been running for years. We are only at the beginning of this journey, but we plan to evaluate the results from Kenya and Nigeria and expand further. Markets beyond sub-Saharan Africa are also on our radar, like Asia, the Middle East, Northern Africa and South America. As traditional banks focus more on established economies, our role in providing financing solutions becomes even more critical.”
KCB and Access Bank partnerships
In Kenya, the financing hub is based within KCB Bank, and in Nigeria, Invest International has partnered closely with Access Bank to deliver tailored financial support to Dutch entrepreneurs.
