NCBA Launches $6 Million ConnectPlus Platform

NCBA Bank has unveiled ConnectPlus, a next-generation corporate banking platform powered by Intellect’s eMACH.ai Wholesale Banking Cloud.

Valued at $6 million, ConnectPlus positions NCBA as the first bank in East Africa to deploy Intellect’s cloud-based banking solution. The move is expected to redefine corporate and SME banking across the region.

The new platform enhances transaction speeds, introduces a wider range of payment options, and integrates advanced liquidity management tools to help businesses manage cash flow more efficiently. It also features upgraded security protocols to ensure data and transaction integrity in an increasingly digital financial landscape.

“NCBA’s digitally enabled transaction banking suite is a major move towards becoming a dominant bank in Kenya that serves corporates and SMEs with a full array of products for all their local and international transaction banking needs,” said James Gossip, Managing Director, NCBA Kenya Bank. “It also supports the Government’s Kenya Digital Economy initiative under Vision 2030.”

The cloud-native platform’s architecture allows NCBA to roll out new cash management and trade finance products faster, providing the agility to meet rapidly changing customer and regulatory demands. Businesses will also benefit from an intuitive, user-friendly interface designed to simplify complex transactions and reporting.

According to Manish Maakan, CEO of iGTB Intellect, the company behind the eMACH.ai platform, the partnership underscores Africa’s growing appetite for cloud-based transformation in wholesale banking.

“Our technology is transforming NCBA’s digital banking platform to develop cutting-edge offerings for SME and corporate clients,” Maakan said. “Africa is one of the fastest-growing markets embracing digital transformation, and we want to be there as the right partner taking African banks to the global stage.”

The transformation is part of NCBA’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a digital-first bank in Africa’s corporate and SME segment. With a network of over 100 branches and an expanding partnership with Kenya PostBank for nationwide cash collection, NCBA continues to invest in technology-driven solutions that enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

“This project ensures NCBA continues to stand out as a bank known for superior customer experience and operational excellence,” Gossip added.

As corporate banking becomes increasingly digital, NCBA’s ConnectPlus represents not just an upgrade, but a strategic leap that combines the agility of cloud technology with the reliability of enterprise-grade security to meet the evolving demands of Africa’s growing business ecosystem.