Strategic partnerships drive business value and market entry

Strategic partnerships allow companies to expand products, reach new customers, and develop revenue streams by combining complementary resources like technology, distribution networks, and financial capacity. This approach reduces the need for internal investment in every required capability and lowers barriers to market entry.

A recent example includes the launch of the Asante Global Card by Kenya Airways, Absa Bank Kenya, and Visa. This collaboration integrates Kenya Airways’ loyalty program, Absa’s banking infrastructure, and Visa’s international payment network to allow customers to earn airline reward points through daily spending.

Similarly, Safaricom’s Fuliza overdraft facility utilizes the M-Pesa ecosystem alongside the lending and credit-risk capabilities of KCB and the former Commercial Bank of Africa to scale credit products that would be difficult for a single entity to replicate independently.