Kenyan hardware and construction suppliers are getting a major upgrade in how small businesses access working capital.
tabb, a trade credit infrastructure company, has announced a strategic partnership with Doshi, one of Kenya’s leading providers of steel, electrical, water, and hardware solutions. The move brings Doshi into Tabb’s growing supplier network, allowing SMEs to buy stock using bank-issued, interest-free revolving credit lines.
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SMEs make up about 90% of businesses in Africa and account for roughly 60% of employment. Even with this, they face an estimated $350 billion financing gap.
Suppliers have traditionally been forced to act as unofficial lenders by offering delayed payments, while banks find SMEs expensive and risky to serve. tabb is trying to fix this broken system by building standardized “rails” for trade credit.
Instead of being a lender itself, tabb connects banks, suppliers, and SMEs into a closed-loop credit network.
Here is how it works
- SMEs apply once for a revolving credit line from partner banks
- They use that credit instantly at any tabb network supplier
- Suppliers get paid the same day
- SMEs repay the bank over 30–90 days, interest-free
By joining the tabb network, Doshi can now offer “Pay with tabb” at the point of purchase. This gives customers extended payment terms without hurting Doshi’s own cash flow.
“For years, trade customers across the market have been constrained by limited working capital, holding back their ability to purchase in bulk, expand, and grow,” said Hemal, Director at Doshi. “By joining the tabb network, we’re removing that constraint. We can now confidently say ‘yes’ to every customer and unlock faster growth right at the point of purchase.”
“This partnership is a live blueprint for the future of trade on the continent,” said Mesh Alloys, Founder of tabb. “SMEs finally get the purchasing power and extended payment terms to grow, suppliers get paid instantly, and banks can profitably serve small businesses at scale.”
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