Veerakumar Natarajan, Country Head of Zoho Kenya
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 22, 2026 — Kenyan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to gain greater access to digital tools, business training and technical support following a strategic partnership between global technology company Zoho and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
The partnership, announced during Zoholics Kenya 2026, Zoho’s annual user conference, aims to help businesses embrace digital transformation, improve efficiency and strengthen their competitiveness by making enterprise technology more accessible and affordable.
Through the collaboration, eligible KNCCI members will receive KES65,000 in Zoho Wallet Credits, allowing them to access any of Zoho’s more than 60 cloud-based business applications. The solutions cover a wide range of business functions, including accounting, customer relationship management, finance, human resources, collaboration and operations.
The initiative comes at a time when many Kenyan businesses are accelerating their adoption of digital technologies to improve productivity, reduce operational costs and adapt to an increasingly technology-driven marketplace.
Speaking during the launch, Premanand Velumani, Associate Director for Strategic Growth at Zoho Middle East and Africa (MEA), said the partnership reflects Zoho’s commitment to building strong local business ecosystems by working closely with institutions that support entrepreneurs.
“As we continue expanding our presence in East Africa, our focus remains on creating meaningful local impact through collaboration,” Velumani said.
He noted that many SMEs still face challenges such as limited access to technology, inadequate digital skills and the high cost of adopting modern business systems. According to him, the partnership seeks to address these barriers by providing businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to grow.
Premanand Velumani, Associate Director for Strategic Growth at Zoho Middle East and Africa (MEA).
“The partnership represents a shared commitment to empowering SMEs by expanding access to technology, strengthening digital capabilities and lowering barriers to business transformation. Through collaboration with trusted institutions, we aim to equip Kenyan businesses with the tools, knowledge and support they need to grow sustainably,” he said.
Velumani added that the initiative aligns with Zoho’s transnational localism strategy, which focuses on strengthening local economies while connecting them to global opportunities through technology and innovation.
He observed that Kenya has become one of Zoho’s fastest-growing markets, driven by increasing demand from businesses seeking integrated digital solutions that can support long-term growth.
Echoing the same sentiments, Veerakumar Natarajan, Country Head of Zoho Kenya, said businesses are increasingly investing in unified technology platforms as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the way organisations operate.
“Kenya continues to be one of our fastest-growing markets as more businesses embrace digital transformation to improve resilience and competitiveness,” Natarajan said.
He explained that organisations are moving away from fragmented software systems in favour of integrated platforms that bring together different business functions, enabling faster decision-making and improved operational efficiency.
“As AI continues to reshape how businesses operate, organisations are increasingly choosing unified digital platforms to drive efficiency and growth. Through this partnership, we are committed to helping Kenyan businesses accelerate their digital transformation journeys while strengthening the country’s SME ecosystem,” he said.
Beyond providing access to business software, the partnership will focus on equipping entrepreneurs with the skills needed to maximise the benefits of digital technology.
Participating businesses will receive onboarding support, product implementation guidance and technical assistance to ensure they successfully integrate the solutions into their daily operations.
Zoho and KNCCI will also organise workshops, training programmes and knowledge-sharing forums designed to improve digital literacy among business owners and their employees. The sessions will expose entrepreneurs to best practices in digital transformation while helping them understand how technology can improve customer service, automate routine processes and enhance business performance.
KNCCI Nairobi Chairman Dr James Mwaura described the partnership as an important milestone in strengthening Kenya’s SME sector, noting that access to technology alone is not enough without the skills to use it effectively.
“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,” Dr Mwaura said.
He added that the Chamber views digital transformation as a key driver of innovation, business resilience and economic growth.
“Together with Zoho, we look forward to helping Kenyan businesses embrace digital transformation and strengthen their long-term competitiveness,” he said.
The collaboration is expected to particularly benefit small businesses that have struggled to adopt digital systems because of high costs, limited technical expertise or lack of access to reliable technology partners.
By lowering these barriers, the two organisations hope to enable more SMEs to digitise their operations, improve financial management, strengthen customer relationships and make better-informed business decisions.
In addition to software deployment and training, Zoho and KNCCI plan to roll out awareness campaigns, business forums and educational initiatives across the country to encourage wider adoption of digital technologies among entrepreneurs.
The programmes will also create opportunities for business owners to engage with industry experts, exchange experiences and learn how digital innovation can support sustainable business growth.
The partnership comes as Kenya’s SME sector continues to play a central role in the country’s economy, contributing significantly to employment creation and economic activity. As businesses increasingly adopt cloud computing, automation and artificial intelligence, demand for affordable and integrated digital solutions is expected to continue rising.
Zoho’s latest investment also reflects growing confidence in Kenya’s digital economy. The company reported a 55 per cent revenue growth in Kenya, attributing the increase to rising demand for scalable business solutions, stronger local partnerships and continued investment in talent development.
Across Africa, Zoho says its expansion strategy focuses on empowering businesses through partnerships, digital skills development and locally tailored technology solutions that respond to the needs of different markets.
Among its most widely used products in Kenya are Zoho One, an all-in-one business operating system; Workplace, an enterprise email and collaboration suite; CRM Plus; Zoho CRM; and Zoho Books, its accounting platform. The company’s customers span sectors such as financial services, manufacturing, information technology, insurance and telecommunications.
Globally, Zoho serves more than 150 million users through a portfolio of over 60 business applications. The privately owned technology company employs more than 19,000 people and operates across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
With the new partnership, Zoho and KNCCI hope to accelerate the digital transformation of Kenyan enterprises by giving SMEs easier access to technology, practical digital skills and continuous technical support. The two organisations believe the initiative will help businesses become more productive, resilient and competitive while contributing to Kenya’s broader economic growth and digital transformation agenda.
