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HEVA Fund Unveils $5 Million Investment to Boost Kenya’s Creative Sector with Tailored Financial Solutions

      HEVA’s Managing Partner, Ms. Wakiuru Njuguna shakes hand with Michael Monari, Founder and CEO, Longitude after the deal signing.

The creative and cultural industries in Kenya have received a significant financial boost following the launch of a $5 million (KSh 644 million) investment by HEVA Fund, in partnership with four financial service providers (FSPs) and two aggregator platforms. This initiative aims to bridge the financial gap in the sector and empower over 7,000 creatives, with a strong focus on young women, refugees, and people with disabilities.

The two newly introduced financial products, Ota Kopa and Ota Kopa Plus, are designed to provide accessible and flexible funding options for creatives. Under these products, individuals and businesses in the sector can apply for:

Up to KSh 999,999 under Ota Kopa

Between KSh 1 million and KSh 4,999,999 under Ota Kopa Plus
HEVA’s Managing Partner, Ms. Wakiuru Njuguna with Mbula Nzuki Co-founder & COO, Tenakata.

HEVA’s Managing Partner, Ms. Wakiuru Njuguna, emphasized that the initiative seeks to strengthen the creative industry, generate employment, and ensure financial inclusion for creative businesses. “The goal of these partnerships is to expand the pool of capital available to the sector and ensure access to affordable, responsive financial products, as well as business advisory services,” she said.

The financing will support businesses across three major creative value chains:

 Fashion, Garments, and Accessories

 Film, Television, Content Creation, Gaming, and Audio-Visual

Live Music, Theatre, and Performing Arts

Through strategic partnerships with Longitude Capital, Tenakata Ltd, Kenya Bankers Sacco, Lipa Later Ltd, Shop Zetu, and Wowzi, HEVA aims to challenge industry biases, restore the dignity of the sector, and demonstrate its potential for economic growth and job creation.

Michael Monari, representing Longitude Capital, highlighted the importance of supporting creatives, stating, “We recognize the tremendous need for financial support in the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) and are committed to ensuring that creatives have access to dignified and profitable livelihoods.”

With a track record of successfully raising $42 million, supporting over 120 creative enterprises, and building technical capacity for 14,000 practitioners, HEVA Fund continues to play a pivotal role in reshaping the creative economy in Kenya and across Africa.

Interested creatives can apply for funding through HEVA’s official website, with eligibility criteria ensuring a focus on young women (70% of beneficiaries), refugees (10%), and people with disabilities (5%).

This investment marks a new era for Kenya’s creative industry, providing the much-needed financial backing to unlock opportunities, drive innovation, and foster sustainable economic growth.

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