L-R: Buffalo Bicycles Kenya (BBK) East Africa Regional Director Maureen Kolenyo and Equity Bank Kenya Managing Director Moses Nyabanda during the unveiling of the partnership that seeks to boost access to affordable mobility, physical fitness and support economic empowerment. Equity Bank will support access to the bicycles through its asset financing solution.
Equity Bank Kenya and Buffalo Bicycles Kenya (BBK) have partnered to make quality bicycles more accessible to Kenyans in a move aimed at improving mobility, enhancing economic opportunities and promoting healthier lifestyles.
The partnership, unveiled in Nairobi, will see Equity Bank provide financing solutions to enable individuals, entrepreneurs and institutions acquire bicycles at affordable terms.
Speaking during the launch, Equity Bank Kenya Managing Director Moses Nyabanda said the initiative aligns with the bank’s mission of empowering communities through practical solutions that improve livelihoods.
“One of the solutions we are proud to be part of is empowering the owner of the bicycle. As Equity, we are making it as easy as possible for people to acquire these bicycles. When somebody acquires a bicycle, it transforms them economically,” said Nyabanda.
He noted that bicycles offer significant savings on daily transport costs while providing users with a reliable and efficient means of transport.
“Compared to spending money on transport every day, the return on investment is very high. The health outcomes are also much better when riding a bicycle. It promotes physical fitness while providing a reliable and affordable means of transport,” he added.
Nyabanda said the partnership demonstrates the importance of collaboration in addressing development challenges and creating sustainable impact.
“In today’s world, meaningful impact cannot be achieved in isolation. The first partnership is between Equity and Buffalo Bicycles, but we see opportunities to bring in governments and other partners to broaden the impact even further,” he said.
Under the arrangement, Equity Bank will initially showcase Buffalo bicycles in four Nairobi branches as part of efforts to increase visibility and accessibility. The financing package is expected to lower upfront acquisition costs and enable more Kenyans to invest in affordable mobility solutions.
Customers will have access to three bicycle models namely the Single Speed bicycle, the Charger model and the Double Chain model.
Buffalo Bicycles Kenya East Africa Regional Director Maureen Kolenyo said the partnership seeks to eliminate mobility barriers that limit access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
“We are excited about the opportunities this partnership presents and how it can transform lives across communities. As a business, one of the things we do is ensure that the small entrepreneur is able to participate in the economy,” said Kolenyo.
She added that the company shares Equity’s commitment to inclusion, particularly among low-income earners and small-scale traders.
“Just as banking has reached the mama mboga and the person on the street, we believe no one should be denied education, healthcare or economic opportunities because of distance,” she said.
According to Kolenyo, Buffalo bicycles are designed to withstand tough operating conditions and can be used for both personal and commercial purposes across the country.
As part of the agreement, Buffalo Bicycles Kenya has committed to donate 100 bicycles to the Equity Group Foundation for every 1,000 bicycles purchased and financed through Equity Bank.
The partners said the initiative is expected to support sustainable mobility by reducing transport costs by up to Sh15,000 per month through fuel savings while also promoting physical fitness and mental wellbeing.
