Global technology firm Zoho has entered a strategic partnership with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of small and medium enterprises across the country.
The partnership was announced on Wednesday during Zoholics Kenya 2026, the company’s annual user conference held in Nairobi, which also featured one-on-one sessions between Zoho and other brands showcasing how businesses are integrating cloud-based tools into their operations.
Under the deal, eligible KNCCI members will receive KES 65,000 in Zoho Wallet Credits, redeemable across Zoho’s suite of more than 60 cloud-based business applications spanning finance, sales, marketing, human resources and operations. The credits are aimed at lowering the cost barrier that often keeps smaller businesses from adopting digital tools.
Beyond the credits, Zoho said it would provide dedicated onboarding support, product training and enablement programmes to help KNCCI members implement the technology effectively. The partnership also includes plans for ongoing digital skills development through workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions, as well as joint marketing and awareness campaigns between the two organisations.
A vote of confidence in Kenya’s SME sector
“Through this partnership, our members will gain access not only to world-class business technology but also the training and support needed to successfully adopt and leverage these solutions,” said Dr James Mwaura, KNCCI Nairobi Chairman.
For Zoho, the tie-up builds on what the company describes as strong momentum in the Kenyan market. The firm reported 41 percent revenue growth in Kenya, which it attributes to rising demand for unified, scalable business solutions and sustained investment in local talent and partnerships. Growth has been particularly strong in IT hardware and IT-related services, financial services, manufacturing, insurance and telecommunications, sectors that are increasingly digitising core operations.
“Kenya continues to be one of our fastest-growing markets as more businesses embrace digital transformation to improve resilience and competitiveness,” said Veerakumar Natarajan, Country Head, Zoho Kenya. “As AI continues to reshape how businesses operate, organisations are increasingly choosing unified digital platforms to drive efficiency and growth.”
Premanand Velumani, Associate Director for Strategic Growth at Zoho MEA, framed the partnership as part of a broader regional push. “The partnership represents a shared commitment to empowering SMEs by expanding access to technology, strengthening digital capabilities, and lowering barriers to business transformation,” he said, describing the approach as part of Zoho’s “transnational localism” strategy, supporting locally rooted business ecosystems that remain globally connected.
Widening footprint in East Africa
Among Zoho’s most widely adopted products in Kenya are Zoho One, its all-in-one business operating system; Workplace, its enterprise email and collaboration suite; CRM Plus, a customer experience platform; and Books, its accounting software.
The KNCCI partnership adds to Zoho’s expanding presence across Africa, where the company already operates from a Middle East and Africa headquarters in the UAE, with additional offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Qatar and Mauritius alongside its Kenya operations.
For KNCCI, whose membership spans thousands of small and medium enterprises nationwide, the partnership offers a practical pathway to closing the digital divide that continues to hold back productivity and competitiveness among Kenya’s smaller businesses, a sector widely regarded as the backbone of the country’s economy.
