The government has disbursed Sh87 billion through the Hustler Fund since the programme was introduced in 2022, reaching 28 million accounts.

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NAIROBI,Kenya June 11 – The National Treasury has disbursed Sh87 billion through the Hustler Fund since the programme was introduced in 2022, reaching 28 million accounts and extending formal financial services to millions of people who previously had little or no access to credit.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced the figures on Thursday while delivering the 2026/27 Budget Statement in Parliament, saying the government is placing greater emphasis on strengthening small businesses and creating economic opportunities for young people.

Mbadi said the administration’s economic model is centred on ensuring that entrepreneurs at the grassroots have access to affordable financing, business support systems and markets that can help them expand their enterprises.

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He noted that the Hustler Fund was established to bridge the financing gap faced by small traders, informal businesses and low-income earners who have traditionally struggled to secure loans from mainstream financial institutions.

According to the Treasury CS, the fund has not only provided capital to borrowers but has also brought millions into the formal financial ecosystem.

“Since its inception, the fund has disbursed Sh87 billion to 28 million accounts and enabled 4.5 million Kenyans who were previously listed on credit reference bureaus to begin building a formal credit record,” Mbadi said.

The development marks a significant shift for many borrowers who had been excluded from conventional lending channels, giving them an opportunity to access financial products that were previously beyond their reach.

Mbadi told Parliament that access to financing alone is not enough to transform livelihoods, adding that the government is simultaneously investing in programmes designed to nurture entrepreneurship and enterprise growth.

One such intervention is the Nyota Programme, which focuses on identifying and supporting young entrepreneurs across the country through training, mentorship and financial assistance.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya