Frequently Asked Questions
Answers on collateral, repayment, the application process, the equipment we finance, and becoming an approved supplier.
Financing and eligibility
What collateral do I need to provide?
The equipment or machinery being financed is the only collateral EFKen requires. You do not need to pledge land, buildings or other assets. Removing that barrier is the reason EFKen exists: many capable businesses are turned away by banks purely for lack of conventional security.
Who can apply for financing?
EFKen finances Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and farmers across agriculture, dairy, agro-processing, logistics and transport, milling, cold storage, healthcare, construction and mining. If your business needs productive equipment to grow, you can apply.
What repayment options are available?
Repayments are structured to match your cash cycles. For agricultural clients EFKen offers seasonal, semi-seasonal and monthly plans, so repayment falls in line with when income actually arrives. There is also the option to adjust the schedule if temporary income challenges arise.
Is a down-payment required?
Yes. Once your application is approved you pay a down-payment to EFKen and sign the lease contract. EFKen then places the order with the supplier.
Who owns the equipment during the lease?
EFKen purchases the equipment and assumes legal title to it, not the customer. The equipment is released to you to operate under the terms of the lease.
Is service and maintenance included?
EFKen aims to put service and maintenance arrangements in place with the supplier for the tenor of the lease, so that your business keeps operating smoothly.
Applying
How does the application process work?
There are five steps. First, make an enquiry, or attend one of our workshops and seminars. Second, contact our preferred equipment suppliers for pro forma invoices. Third, include those invoices in your application and go through vetting. Fourth, once approved, pay the down-payment and sign the contract. Fifth, EFKen places the order with the supplier, purchases the equipment, and prepares the final equipment package for you.
How quickly will I hear back?
We answer all enquiries within 24 hours. You can reach us through the enquiry form on any product page, by phone on +254 110 000 900, or by email at info@efken.co.ke.
Where do the pro forma invoices come from?
From EFKen’s database of approved equipment suppliers, which is shared with customers at our workshops and seminars. You contact your preferred suppliers directly to request the invoices for the equipment you need.
Does every applicant get approved?
No. EFKen vets all its customers thoroughly and invests in reliable applications only. Vetting protects both sides: it keeps our portfolio sound and it avoids putting a business into a commitment it cannot sustain.
Equipment and products
What kinds of equipment does EFKen finance?
Agricultural machinery, dairy equipment, agro-processing lines, transport and logistics assets, milling equipment, cold storage and refrigeration, medical equipment, construction and mining machinery, and other business equipment. Green Asset Financing also covers solar power systems, water pumps and energy-efficient machinery.
What is Afya Lease?
Afya Lease is EFKen’s healthcare asset financing product. It enables hospitals, clinics and medical practitioners to acquire diagnostic machines, hospital beds, laboratory equipment and other critical assets without large upfront costs, preserving cash flow for day-to-day operations.
What is Green Asset Financing?
Financing for clean, energy-efficient equipment — from solar power systems and water pumps to energy-efficient processing machinery — which lowers running costs while reducing environmental impact.
Suppliers
How do I become an approved EFKen supplier?
Apply through the Suppliers page. Becoming approved means you no longer have to turn away customers who lack the cash or the conventional collateral to buy outright, which opens a much larger market for your equipment.
What does supplier vetting involve?
Review of your documentation (business licence, PIN certificate, VAT certificate, certificate of incorporation and any other applicable licences); some proof of financial stability depending on tier, potentially including audited accounts; references from past customers in Kenya or the East Africa region; a site visit to your premises; and a price comparison for the equipment you provide.
What makes a supplier eligible?
We prefer suppliers holding equipment in stock, with technicians and spare parts available locally. We also expect suppliers to help us understand the operating requirements of their equipment, and to keep prices competitive so our customers get a fair deal.
About EFKen
Who is EFKen Leasing?
EFKen Leasing Ltd is an equipment leasing company established in Kenya in 2020 by the Equity for Africa Group, to increase access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. It builds on EFTA, the group’s equipment finance business founded in Tanzania in 2005.
Where are your offices?
Our main office is at Roshanmaer Place, Ground Floor, Lenana Road, Nairobi. We also have offices at DND House, 1st Floor, West Road, Nakuru, and MURBS Building, Ground Floor, Makasembo Road, Kisumu. See the Contact page for direct numbers.
How do I raise a concern about conduct at EFKen?
Use the confidential whistleblower channel. Reports go directly to designated officers, may be submitted anonymously, and EFKen does not tolerate retaliation against anyone raising a concern in good faith.