SBM Bank Kenya and Beyond Continents Logistics Partner to Boost East Africa Trade with USD 4.4 Million Fleet Expansion
SBM Bank Kenya has partnered with logistics firm Beyond Continents Logistics Limited in a $4.44 million deal to expand freight capacity and support cross-border trade across East Africa.
The agreement has enabled Beyond Continents Logistics to acquire a new fleet of 50 heavy-duty Shacman prime movers fitted with Bhachu trailers, strengthening its capacity to handle import and export operations in Kenya and the wider region.
The investment comes as regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) increases demand for reliable logistics infrastructure and modern transport equipment capable of handling growing import and export volumes.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Dennis Nyakundi, General Manager of Trade and Transactional Banking at SBM Bank Kenya, said the bank was committed to providing financing solutions that support business expansion and economic growth in the logistics sector.
“Access to flexible asset financing remains a critical catalyst for scaling businesses in Kenya and the wider region. Our objective is to enable enterprise growth by offering financial solutions designed around business cash cycles.
“By providing flexible financing, sufficient repayment holidays and extended repayment terms, we are equipping key players with the capital efficiency needed to expand operations, meet growing trade demands and keep East Africa’s economic engine moving,” Nyakundi said.
To facilitate the acquisition, SBM Bank Kenya structured a tailored small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) asset finance solution featuring a repayment period of up to 720 days and financing of up to 100 per cent of the cost of the new units.
The facility also includes comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance coverage spread over 10 months, a structure intended to help the logistics company manage cash flow as it expands its fleet.
Lawrence Ndushabandi, a representative of Beyond Continents Logistics Limited, said the additional vehicles would strengthen the company’s operational capacity and reliability as regional trade volumes grow.
“As international supply chains evolve and import-export volumes increase across local and regional markets, operational reliability is paramount. Adding 50 high-capacity Shacman prime movers with Bhachu trailers significantly elevates our haulage capacity and operational reliability,” Ndushabandi said.
The transaction highlights SBM Bank Kenya’s capacity to finance large-scale commercial investments, supported by growth in its financial performance and balance sheet.
In its latest financial disclosures, the bank reported a 171.3 per cent increase in profit before tax to KSh548 million, while net profit after tax reached KSh380.2 million.
Operating profit rose by 279 per cent to KSh852 million. Customer deposits increased by 24 per cent to KSh94 billion, while net loans and advances grew by 18 per cent to KSh54.1 billion, pushing total assets to KSh109.9 billion.
The bank also reported an improvement in asset quality, with its gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio declining to 17.3 per cent from 32.4 per cent in the previous period. Shareholders’ equity increased to KSh11.1 billion.
The financial performance strengthens SBM Bank Kenya’s position as a financing partner for businesses seeking to expand operations, invest in commercial assets and capitalise on opportunities in domestic and cross-border trade.
