National Bank of Kenya Managing Director George Odhiambo (left), Centum Real Estate General Manager for Vipingo Development Martin Kariuki and Access Bank Regional Managing Director for East Africa and Country Managing Director for Kenya Ralph Opara , during the signing of the MOU in Vipingo, Kilifi on July 1, 2026/HANDOUT
Home ownership could become more accessible for Kenyans following a new partnership between the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) and Centum Real Estate aimed at expanding access to mortgage financing and property investment.
The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Kilifi to provide financing solutions for home purchases, land acquisition and construction, with the partners saying the initiative is intended to ease some of the financial barriers that have limited property ownership.
Under the arrangement, customers will have access to mortgage products and construction financing, with repayment plans tailored to their financial circumstances.
NBK Managing Director George Odhiambo said the partnership combines the bank's financing expertise with Centum's property development experience to support more Kenyans seeking to own homes or invest in real estate.
"The partnership we are formalising today represents a shared commitment to enabling home ownership, supporting investment in real estate, and providing customers with tailored financial solutions that help them achieve their aspirations," Odhiambo said.
He added that the collaboration seeks to make property ownership accessible to a wider segment of the market by offering financing options aligned with customers' repayment ability.
Centum Real Estate General Manager for Vipingo Development Martin Kariuki said the partnership aims to provide prospective homeowners with a clearer and more predictable path to buying property.
"A good home should be more than something people admire from a distance. It should be something they can understand, plan for, and move towards with confidence," Kariuki said.
"By connecting quality homes with a more predictable financing path, we want to help more customers see ownership as something they can realistically work towards."
According to the partners, one of the features of the financing model is that buyers will begin servicing their mortgages only after their units have been completed and handed over. The firms say this could benefit investors intending to rent out their properties by allowing them to generate income before loan repayments begin.
The companies also said the financing packages will be structured around monthly repayment capacity rather than the overall purchase price of a property, a model they believe could lower the entry barrier for first-time homebuyers.
Access Bank Regional Managing Director for East Africa and Country Managing Director for Kenya Ralph Opara said the initiative forms part of the group's efforts to support long-term investment and economic growth.
"Together with Centum, we are creating pathways to property ownership and investment while supporting sustainable development, wealth creation and long-term economic growth for Kenya," Opara said.
The partnership comes at a time when Kenya continues to grapple with low mortgage uptake despite rising demand for housing. High property prices, financing costs and deposit requirements have remained significant obstacles for many aspiring homeowners.
Financial institutions have increasingly turned to partnerships with property developers to offer tailored financing products as part of efforts to improve access to home ownership and support investment in the country's real estate sector.
NBK, a subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, said the collaboration is expected to broaden financing options for prospective homeowners while supporting growth in Kenya's housing market.
