NCBA, Transafrica Motors Partner to Offer Up to 90% Financing for Commercial Vehicles
In Kenya, these transport networks support supply chains linking Mombasa to Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret and other commercial centres,
A FAW commercial truck, part of the vehicle range targeted by the NCBA Group and Transafrica Motors Limited financing partnership, which offers eligible businesses up to 90 per cent financing and repayment periods of up to 60 months. The initiative aims to support fleet expansion among transporters, SMEs and logistics operators amid growing cargo volumes through the Port of Mombasa and increasing regional trade. Photo: Transafrica Motors.
By James Gitaka
NCBA Group has partnered with Transafrica Motors Limited to provide financing for FAW commercial vehicles, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), transporters and fleet operators seeking to expand their businesses amid rising demand for cargo transportation in Kenya and the wider East African region.
The partnership, announced in Mombasa on October 8, 2026, seeks to simplify the acquisition of commercial vehicles by combining asset financing with vehicle sales, enabling businesses to expand their fleets without committing the full purchase price upfront.
Under the arrangement, eligible customers can access financing of up to 90 per cent of a vehicle’s value, with repayment periods of up to 60 months. The facility also includes a 60-day repayment moratorium after the vehicle is released, allowing businesses time to deploy newly acquired vehicles and begin generating revenue before repayments start.
The initiative comes as demand for trucks, pickups, buses and prime movers increases, driven by activity in transport and logistics, construction, agriculture, manufacturing and regional trade.
For Kenyan transport operators, access to affordable vehicle financing remains an important consideration as businesses seek to balance fleet expansion with fuel costs, maintenance expenses, insurance premiums and other operational demands.
Port of Mombasa drives demand for commercial fleets
Mombasa’s position as a major regional trade gateway has strengthened the business case for investment in commercial transport, with cargo moving from the port to domestic markets and landlocked countries across East and Central Africa.
The Port of Mombasa handled a record 45.45 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, representing a 10.9 per cent increase, according to figures cited in the partnership announcement. Transit cargo destined for regional markets, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, grew by 19.5 per cent over the same period.
The growth in cargo throughput creates opportunities for trucking companies, independent transporters and logistics businesses, which require reliable vehicles to move goods efficiently between the port, warehouses, industrial centres and inland markets.
In Kenya, these transport networks support supply chains linking Mombasa to Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret and other commercial centres, as well as cross-border routes serving the wider East African Community market.
However, expanding transport capacity requires significant upfront investment, particularly for businesses seeking to acquire heavy commercial vehicles. The NCBA–Transafrica Motors partnership is designed to ease that financial burden by allowing eligible customers to spread acquisition costs over an extended repayment period.
Financing targets SMEs and fleet operators
Lennox Mugambi, NCBA Group Director of Asset Finance and Business Solutions, said the partnership reflects the lender’s strategy of providing financing solutions that respond to the needs of businesses operating in Kenya’s expanding transport and logistics sectors.
“Kenya’s transport and logistics sectors are entering a new phase of growth, driven by increasing trade volumes, infrastructure development and regional commerce. Businesses need financing solutions that move at the same pace as opportunity,” Mugambi said.
He added that the arrangement would help entrepreneurs, fleet owners and corporate customers acquire the vehicles they need while protecting cash flow and preserving working capital.
For SMEs, the ability to finance a substantial portion of a vehicle’s purchase price could free up capital for other business requirements, including staffing, fuel, maintenance and day-to-day operations.
The 60-day moratorium could also give operators time to deploy vehicles on transport contracts and establish revenue streams before loan repayments commence, although customers will still need to meet the applicable financing terms and other costs associated with vehicle ownership.
Ali Zubedi, Managing Director of Transafrica Motors, said access to financing was critical for businesses seeking to grow their transport capacity without tying up substantial amounts of capital in vehicle purchases.
“Financing should never be the barrier that keeps a customer from taking the next step. Businesses looking to expand their fleets often must balance the need for reliable vehicles with the capital demands of buying them outright,” Zubedi said.
He noted that the partnership combines access to FAW commercial vehicles with Transafrica’s nationwide service and warranty support, alongside financing structured around business growth.
Zubedi said the combination was intended to support sustainable fleet expansion rather than simply facilitate individual vehicle purchases.
Commercial vehicle market records growth
The partnership follows a strong performance in Kenya’s new commercial vehicle market.
According to figures cited in the announcement, sales of new zero-mileage vehicles increased by 23 per cent in the first half of 2026 to a record 7,819 units. Trucks, pickups, buses and prime movers were among the categories supporting demand.
The growth points to continued investment in vehicles used to transport goods and people, support construction projects and move agricultural produce to markets.
For commercial vehicle dealers and lenders, the expanding market presents opportunities to develop financing products that respond to the needs of businesses operating at different scales.
However, the long-term benefits of fleet expansion will depend partly on operators’ ability to secure consistent transport contracts, manage operating costs and maintain vehicles to minimise downtime.
Beyond vehicle acquisition
In addition to vehicle financing, the partnership will provide customers with access to insurance and asset ownership support, broadening the range of services available to businesses purchasing commercial vehicles.
The arrangement brings together NCBA’s asset-financing capabilities and Transafrica Motors’ vehicle sales and after-sales support, with the aim of helping customers manage the acquisition and operation of their fleets.
For transport operators serving domestic and regional markets, reliable access to vehicles can influence delivery schedules, operating capacity and the ability to compete for larger contracts.
As trade volumes increase along Kenya’s transport corridors, the partnership is expected to provide an additional financing option for eligible businesses seeking to invest in commercial vehicles.
Its impact will ultimately depend on the accessibility of the financing, the cost of credit and the ability of businesses to generate sufficient returns from the vehicles acquired.
About NCBA Group
NCBA Group is a financial services provider offering corporate, institutional, SME and consumer banking products. The group operates in several African markets, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Côte d’Ivoire, and has a presence in corporate banking, asset finance and digital banking.
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC is among the country’s banking institutions and provides financing solutions to businesses and individuals across multiple sectors.
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