National Bank of Kenya (NBK) and Centum Real Estate have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at making homeownership more accessible, affordable and financially practical for more Kenyans.
The partnership introduces tailored financing solutions covering home purchases, land acquisition and construction financing. Customers will have access to flexible repayment plans based on their financial circumstances, with competitive monthly instalments.
Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kilifi, NBK Managing Director George Odhiambo said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to homeownership and property investment.
“The partnership we are formalising today represents a 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 extensive customer network with Centum’s proven real estate capabilities, we will create solutions that make property ownership more accessible to a wider segment of the market,” he said.
Centum Real Estate General Manager for Vipingo Development, Martin Kariuki, said the partnership is designed to make the journey to homeownership more predictable and achievable.
“A good home should be more than something people admire from a distance. It should be something they can understand, plan for and move toward with confidence. By connecting quality homes with a more predictable financing path, we want to help more customers see ownership as something they can realistically work toward,” he said.
Access Bank Regional Managing Director for East Africa and Country Managing Director for Kenya, Ralph Opara, said the agreement goes beyond financing property transactions.
“This MoU reflects our commitment to leveraging Access Bank Group’s international reach, financial strength and market expertise to unlock opportunities for our customers. Together with Centum, we are creating pathways to property ownership and investment while supporting sustainable development, wealth creation and long-term economic growth in Kenya,” he said.
The partners said the initiative shifts the focus from the total purchase price of a home to what buyers can comfortably afford in monthly repayments, making property ownership more attainable for first-time homeowners and investors.
For example, a studio apartment valued at KSh2.7 million can be financed through manageable monthly instalments, lowering the entry barrier into the property market.
The financing model also allows buyers to begin servicing their mortgages only after their units have been completed and handed over. This gives investors an opportunity to generate rental income before making repayments.
NBK and Centum Real Estate said the partnership will expand access to property ownership and investment while supporting wealth creation and contributing to Kenya’s broader economic development.
