I&M Bank Kenya has emerged as the overall winner of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) SDG Innovation Accelerator Programme 2026 in Kenya, securing the top position in a global sustainability-focused innovation programme designed to support young professionals developing solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
I&M Bank’s winning team advanced through the Kenya edition of the SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals 2026, a nine-month programme run by the Global Compact Network Kenya that brings together young professionals under the age of 35 to develop innovative solutions addressing social, economic and environmental challenges.
The team’s solution, “TekeTeke,” was selected as the best innovation in Kenya before progressing to the global stage, where it was named among the top five teams from 22 participating countries.
The I&M Bank team comprising Valentine Kabeyu (Beyu Anjichi), Jesca Chepkoech, Albert Lumumba and Lucian Ouma will represent Kenya at the UN Global Compact Global Showcase and the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2026.
UN Global Compact SDG Innovation Accelerator Programme 2026
The UNGC SDG Innovation Accelerator Programme is an initiative that supports young professionals in developing business solutions that contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The programme provides participants with a platform to identify sustainability challenges, design innovative solutions and develop projects that create measurable social, environmental and economic impact.
For the 2026 cycle, participants from different organisations competed through national programmes before selected innovations advanced to the global selection stage.
I&M Bank’s TekeTeke project emerged as Kenya’s leading innovation and was later selected among five global finalists from 22 country networks.
I&M Bank’s TekeTeke Innovation Advances to Global Stage
TekeTeke is a fintech solution developed through the SDG Innovation Accelerator Programme to address financing challenges affecting informal and gig economy workers.
The platform is designed as an automated working capital solution that uses alternative data-based scoring to assess creditworthiness and provide access to financing for workers who may not meet traditional lending requirements.
The innovation focuses on groups such as boda-boda riders, digital couriers and freelance artisans who often face difficulties accessing formal credit due to limited income documentation and lack of conventional collateral.
TekeTeke also incorporates sustainable mobility financing by supporting access to funding for electric vehicles, electric motorcycles and other e-mobility solutions.
After winning the Kenya edition of the UNGC SDG Innovation Accelerator Programme, I&M Bank’s team progressed to a global evaluation process involving innovation teams from 22 countries.
TekeTeke was selected among the top five global solutions alongside finalists from China, Ghana, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The finalists will present their innovations at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit and the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2026.
Young Professionals who Developed the Winning SDG Solution
The TekeTeke innovation was developed by young professionals participating in I&M Bank’s Graduate Management Trainee ecosystem and specialised operational units.
Albert Lumumba, who works in I&M Bank’s Global Markets division, completed the bank’s 15-month Graduate Management Trainee programme in April 2026, gaining experience across different corporate functions.
Lucian Ouma, a Product and Project Management specialist for Card and Payments Solutions, contributed expertise in payment systems that supported the development of the platform’s automated credit disbursement process. Ouma holds a Master’s Degree in Economic Development from the University of Cape Town.
Valentine Kabeyu (Beyu Anjichi) contributed to the platform’s alternative credit scoring approach, linking financial solutions with the needs of under-banked micro-entrepreneurs.
Jesca Chepkoech supported the development of the project execution roadmap and alignment with the UN Global Compact’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives.
The team received internal mentorship from Sidi Katembo, Dipna Shah and Eunice R. Gatama.
Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.