No significant change can be achieved alone.
​Mkono connects people from all parts of the world to share resources and knowledge, in an effort to empower young entrepreneurs to drive social and economic benefits. 


​What we do​

Mkono is a Canadian non-profit organization that provides loans and mentorship to young entrepreneurs in Kenya, all in an affordable manner.

Mkono extends interest-free loans up to $2,000 USD with a repayment period of 3-6 months to businesses that generally lack access to affordable financial resources. We also offer mentorship, connecting Kenyan entrepreneurs to young professionals around the world, our Mkono Allies, to exchange knowledge and help their business grow faster.

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​Our partners


​How we do it​

Mkono partners with on-the-ground communities of entrepreneurs in Kenya - primarily incubators, accelerators and mentorship programs - to best deliver its services. These local partners allow Mkono to find high-potential entrepreneurs, maximize repayment rate, and collectively provide the best support to young Kenyan entrepreneurs.

​Our model is built on the concept of community success. Each loan that is repaid  unlocks more financial support for the community as a whole. As a result, each entrepreneur has a responsibility to repay Mkono on time and in full.


​Why we do it​

In Kenya and most Sub-Saharan countries, small and medium businesses continue to lack access to financial resources despite an increasing number of lenders. Current micro-financing solutions rarely target businesses and can charge up to 200% interest rate. Read our blog posts about why current financing options are flawed and the price of financial inclusion. 
 
By facilitating access to affordable loans and mentorship, we give entrepreneurs a real chance at driving positive change and creating jobs for their communities.
Biggest business obstacles for small and medium sized enterprises in Sub-Sahara Africa
European Investment Bank, 2018. "Banking in Africa: Delivering on financial inclusion, supporting financial stability".
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Most micro-lending initiatives have failed to achieved their intended benefits, often resulting in large debts and little growth for their customers.
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We aren't like any other microfinance organization

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Transparent & affordable

Micro-lending applications can charge annual interest rates of up to 200%, a cost that is often hidden or shared as a monthly rate, leading many to think the cost is less than it actually is. Even organizations that promote affordability will often charge high fees: micro-finance institutions (MFIs) charge on average 30% APR.
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Small & medium business services

While there are many financing options for large companies as well as for micro-businesses - both extremes of the entrepreneurial spectrum - there are very limited financing options for small and medium businesses - those in the middle. We are bridging that gap by offering services - loans and mentorships - that address the small and medium business owners' needs.
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Holistic

Whereas micro-lending companies mainly strive for financial inclusion, we take a more holistic approach at empowering young entrepreneurs to achieve maximum impact. In addition to loans, we provide entrepreneurs with mentorship from our Mkono Allies to maximize the benefits from financial support: money well invested and recycled through repaid loans multiplies its impact. 

Get in touch

Have questions or comments? Just want to chat with us? We would love to hear from you! 
Contact us

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Is your organization a collective of entrepreneurs? Would Mkono services be beneficial? Reach out! 
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