Terms of use
SME Planet Kenya is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation registered in Nairobi, Kenya under the laws of Kenya. It is an affiliated of SME Planet, Geneva. Both are non-profit organisations and social enterprises that share a vision to improve business development, financial management, access to financing and investment for small and medium-scale enterprises engaged in sustainable and socially inclusive development in low and middle-income countries.
Through its affiliation with SME Planet, Geneva, SME Planet Kenya brings together business development experience, materials, information links and services from across the world. Collaborators include chambers of commerce, academic institutions, technology providers, professional bodies, corporates, financing providers such as banks, philanthropies, grant givers, investors and foundations, start-ups, small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in all sectors of the economy. In January 2025, SME Planet, Geneva's standards of operation were upheld by more than 100 business development service coaches and managers in five regions: Africa (East, West and South), Asia (Central Asian States), Indian Ocean Island States, and The Pacific islands (Melanesia and Polynesia).
These affiliated social enterprises provide advisory and training and coaching support to 100s of enterprises each year to improve their knowledge, skills, financial management, compliance for business development and access to financing through to eventual investment. SME Planet’s affiliates implement donor-funded programs to encourage sustainable and socially inclusive growth of businesses to accelerate climate action, greening of supply chains and empowerment of women or young entrepreneurs to create good quality jobs. Our affiliation with SME Planet includes maintenance of standards for assuring impartial and independent advice, ethically and culturally balanced coaching.
Public User registration
Public Users and collaborators voluntarily give information on the website related to SME financing, market compliance, legal and taxation issues. This includes their requirements for business records and analyses, terms and conditions of financial instruments and their implications on SME businesses. The criteria, working schedule and generic lending terms and conditions for initial selection of a cohort of enterprises to participate in a round of access to financing activities are set by the financing provider and SME Planet in collaboration. Whilst we make every effort to encourage financing providers to extend envelopes of lending to match SME needs sometimes there may be mis-matches in timing or financing capacity. If this occurs, and with permission from a SME, SME Planet can use its network of contacts with other funding providers to find alternative sources. Personal contact details are used to send Users notifications of News and Events, Fraud Watch, or updates of content on the SME Planet Platform, if Users subscribe to these services. The Administrator may use User contact details to reach them from time to time if there are questions or issues about a User’s own data entry or the way it is displayed, or to solicit reactions and ideas for adapting the Platform’s services.
Public User data protection and privacy
Personal data is not shared with external parties, although SME Planet can see a global overview of personal data entries. Personal data points are removed from all global analytical reports, which are completely anonymised. More complete information on data privacy can be found in the SME Planet Kenya Data Privacy pages at: https://smeplanetkenya.org/PrivacyPolicy .
Through its affiliation with SME Planet, Geneva, SME Planet Kenya brings together business development experience, materials, information links and services from across the world. Collaborators include chambers of commerce, academic institutions, technology providers, professional bodies, corporates, financing providers such as banks, philanthropies, grant givers, investors and foundations, start-ups, small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in all sectors of the economy. In January 2025, SME Planet, Geneva's standards of operation were upheld by more than 100 business development service coaches and managers in five regions: Africa (East, West and South), Asia (Central Asian States), Indian Ocean Island States, and The Pacific islands (Melanesia and Polynesia).
These affiliated social enterprises provide advisory and training and coaching support to 100s of enterprises each year to improve their knowledge, skills, financial management, compliance for business development and access to financing through to eventual investment. SME Planet’s affiliates implement donor-funded programs to encourage sustainable and socially inclusive growth of businesses to accelerate climate action, greening of supply chains and empowerment of women or young entrepreneurs to create good quality jobs. Our affiliation with SME Planet includes maintenance of standards for assuring impartial and independent advice, ethically and culturally balanced coaching.
Public User registration
Public Users and collaborators voluntarily give information on the website related to SME financing, market compliance, legal and taxation issues. This includes their requirements for business records and analyses, terms and conditions of financial instruments and their implications on SME businesses. The criteria, working schedule and generic lending terms and conditions for initial selection of a cohort of enterprises to participate in a round of access to financing activities are set by the financing provider and SME Planet in collaboration. Whilst we make every effort to encourage financing providers to extend envelopes of lending to match SME needs sometimes there may be mis-matches in timing or financing capacity. If this occurs, and with permission from a SME, SME Planet can use its network of contacts with other funding providers to find alternative sources. Personal contact details are used to send Users notifications of News and Events, Fraud Watch, or updates of content on the SME Planet Platform, if Users subscribe to these services. The Administrator may use User contact details to reach them from time to time if there are questions or issues about a User’s own data entry or the way it is displayed, or to solicit reactions and ideas for adapting the Platform’s services.
Public User data protection and privacy
Personal data is not shared with external parties, although SME Planet can see a global overview of personal data entries. Personal data points are removed from all global analytical reports, which are completely anonymised. More complete information on data privacy can be found in the SME Planet Kenya Data Privacy pages at: https://smeplanetkenya.org/PrivacyPolicy .
Charges and fees
SME Planet Kenya is a User of the SME Planet Global Platform. SME Planet Kenya and the SME Planet Global Platform may offer some services to SMEs against payment. One of these planned services is a Kenya-based cloud server facility for SMEs to upload and safeguard their personal and business records in modular folders. Original validated and dated Master records may be kept in this structured space encrypted on a quantum secure database (technically called a “Wallet”). SMEs using this service technically "own" the space that they have subscribed for. The space is structured as a series of modules accessible only to persons approved by the SME proprietor. The SME proprietor may then approve access rights for a limited duration to third parties to view a “Mirror” image of the original Master records and analyses for their own purposes, such as deriving a provisional financing offer with lending terms and conditions.
This avoids the need for a SME to assemble original documents and records separately for each loan application, speeding-up a financing application process and extending SME financing options. There will be a data storage charge for this facility payable to SME Planet Kenya. For some uses and activities there may be other costs applicable with written consent, such as the legally-required validations of SME records used as justification for financing or procurement decisions.
Charges or fees may apply for the financing and business development support services displayed on the platform, for some events, services and resources provided by SME Planet Kenya or other entities displaying information on the platform. Users are responsible for making their own enquiries about all the details, costs and liabilities they may incur by using any of the services or opportunities displayed on the platform. SME Planet Kenya expects that information on any fees or charges applicable to the use of services will be shared in advance with potential users. Users are asked to report to the Administrator of the Platform any hidden charges or liabilities they may find associated with third party services displayed on the platform through the “Contact us” facility.
Contacts and communications
SME Planet Kenya may communicate with Registered Users and Providers from time to time through the platform and by SMS, email, or telephone to inform Users of new opportunities, request comments on the platform’s performance and design, or follow up on information requirements or technical issues and for other reasons. Users of, and Service Providers on, the platform can contact SME Planet Kenya for more details at any time through the “Contact us” facility provided on the platform and may unsubscribe from these notifications by clicking on the “Unsubscribe” button.
Notices & changes to the terms & conditions
All notices or other communications to be given under these Terms and Conditions of Use to any party shall be sent by e-mail or displayed on this site. Notices shall be deemed to be received on dispatch or when viewed on the web site provided that the sender has received a receipt indicating proper transmission. These Terms and Conditions may be varied by SME Planet Kenya at its sole discretion from time to time and in conformity with national laws and regulations. For specific User-related changes SME Planet Kenya will notify Users directly by e-mail and/or SMS subject to preferences indicated by the User. Continued use of the platform will be deemed to be acceptance by a User of any such changes to these Terms and Conditions.
Representations and Warranties
The User represents and warrants to SME Planet Kenya that all factual information and data provided to SME Planet or SME Planet Kenya is made in good faith, is accurate at the time of uploading and that the User did not omit to mention anything material which may render it untrue, misleading or that may be construed as malicious.
Governing law
For SME Planet, Kenya these Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) will be governed by the laws of Kenya. The applicable Courts in Nairobi county shall have exclusive jurisdiction in connection with these Terms and Conditions. Users and Providers agree to these Terms and Conditions automatically by continuing to use, and benefit from, the facilities of SME Planet Kenya and its affiliates.
SME Planet Kenya is a User of the SME Planet Global Platform. SME Planet Kenya and the SME Planet Global Platform may offer some services to SMEs against payment. One of these planned services is a Kenya-based cloud server facility for SMEs to upload and safeguard their personal and business records in modular folders. Original validated and dated Master records may be kept in this structured space encrypted on a quantum secure database (technically called a “Wallet”). SMEs using this service technically "own" the space that they have subscribed for. The space is structured as a series of modules accessible only to persons approved by the SME proprietor. The SME proprietor may then approve access rights for a limited duration to third parties to view a “Mirror” image of the original Master records and analyses for their own purposes, such as deriving a provisional financing offer with lending terms and conditions.
This avoids the need for a SME to assemble original documents and records separately for each loan application, speeding-up a financing application process and extending SME financing options. There will be a data storage charge for this facility payable to SME Planet Kenya. For some uses and activities there may be other costs applicable with written consent, such as the legally-required validations of SME records used as justification for financing or procurement decisions.
Charges or fees may apply for the financing and business development support services displayed on the platform, for some events, services and resources provided by SME Planet Kenya or other entities displaying information on the platform. Users are responsible for making their own enquiries about all the details, costs and liabilities they may incur by using any of the services or opportunities displayed on the platform. SME Planet Kenya expects that information on any fees or charges applicable to the use of services will be shared in advance with potential users. Users are asked to report to the Administrator of the Platform any hidden charges or liabilities they may find associated with third party services displayed on the platform through the “Contact us” facility.
Contacts and communications
SME Planet Kenya may communicate with Registered Users and Providers from time to time through the platform and by SMS, email, or telephone to inform Users of new opportunities, request comments on the platform’s performance and design, or follow up on information requirements or technical issues and for other reasons. Users of, and Service Providers on, the platform can contact SME Planet Kenya for more details at any time through the “Contact us” facility provided on the platform and may unsubscribe from these notifications by clicking on the “Unsubscribe” button.
Notices & changes to the terms & conditions
All notices or other communications to be given under these Terms and Conditions of Use to any party shall be sent by e-mail or displayed on this site. Notices shall be deemed to be received on dispatch or when viewed on the web site provided that the sender has received a receipt indicating proper transmission. These Terms and Conditions may be varied by SME Planet Kenya at its sole discretion from time to time and in conformity with national laws and regulations. For specific User-related changes SME Planet Kenya will notify Users directly by e-mail and/or SMS subject to preferences indicated by the User. Continued use of the platform will be deemed to be acceptance by a User of any such changes to these Terms and Conditions.
Representations and Warranties
The User represents and warrants to SME Planet Kenya that all factual information and data provided to SME Planet or SME Planet Kenya is made in good faith, is accurate at the time of uploading and that the User did not omit to mention anything material which may render it untrue, misleading or that may be construed as malicious.
Governing law
For SME Planet, Kenya these Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) will be governed by the laws of Kenya. The applicable Courts in Nairobi county shall have exclusive jurisdiction in connection with these Terms and Conditions. Users and Providers agree to these Terms and Conditions automatically by continuing to use, and benefit from, the facilities of SME Planet Kenya and its affiliates.