Jackfruit Finance SME Loan Review: A Gamechanger for School Suppliers?

Picture this, you’ve just received a call from the principal of a busy high school in your area. The school needs 100 bags of assorted cereals - maize, beans, etc, by next Friday. This is the "big break" your business has been waiting for - a Ksh1 million tender!

It’s the best news, but there’s a catch. Your suppliers want cash on delivery, and your bank account is screaming Njaanuary. 

You call your bank. They ask for a lorry full of documents and tell you to "check back in 14 days" for approval. By then, the students will have arrived, and another supplier will have taken your spot. You look at a microfinance option, but their 5% monthly "flat rate" will eat almost all your profit before you even deliver the first bag.

Selling your car starts to sound like a good idea, but you are not sure how fast you can get a buyer. Not to mention your logistics costs will go up. 

In such situations, you need a partner who understands the business of trading with schools. 

With the Jackfruit Finance SME Loan, you don’t have to sell your car to raise capital. You can access up to Ksh1 million using your car logbook as security. 

Also Read: How Your Car Can Help You Pay School Fees This January.

What Is the Jackfruit Finance SME Loan?

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Loan is a financing product by Jackfruit Finance, designed to support businesses that supply or work with schools across Kenya.

It targets SMEs that:

• Supply goods and stationery to schools
• Provide transport services
• Offer catering and meals
• Manage maintenance and other essential school services

Jackfruit Finance is the financial arm of the Jackfruit Network, an organisation focused on strengthening the school ecosystem by ensuring schools and their suppliers can access timely and reliable services.

The Jackfruit SME loan is structured around the school calendar, recognising that payments from schools are often received termly rather than monthly. Repayments are therefore aligned to school fee collection cycles.

Why the Jackfruit Finance SME Loan Stands Out

Running a school-focused business often means tight timelines and delayed payments. The Jackfruit Finance SME Loan is designed to help you bridge cash gaps quickly, without disrupting your operations. This is what makes the SME loan unique;

• Logbook-Secured Financing: Access funding using your car logbook, without lengthy bank paperwork or asset disposal.
• Affordable Rates: Interest rates are kept manageable so borrowing supports growth, not financial strain.
• Fast Approval: Get loan approval in under 24 hours, subject to confirmation, when time is critical.
• Flexible Repayments: Repayment schedules align with termly payments from schools, easing cash flow pressure.
• Built for School-Focused SMEs: Tailored financing for businesses serving schools, with support that understands how the sector operates.

Who Qualifies for the SME Loan?

This loan is ideal for businesses such as:

• School transport providers, caterers, uniform suppliers, and service providers
• Suppliers of educational materials and equipment
• Contractors and maintenance service providers
• Entrepreneurs with active partnerships or contracts with schools

When the SME Loan Is Most Useful

The Jackfruit Finance SME Loan is especially helpful if:

1. You are low on inventory and need to fulfill a time‑sensitive opportunity.
2. You need capital, but don’t want to sell essential assets like your car.
3. You’ve done the math, and the returns from the deal exceed the loan interest.
4. Your business earns consistently, but cash flow is irregular, and you need a short‑term boost.
5. You want to protect your personal savings or emergency funds.
6. You are building a credit history for your business to access better financing in the future.

Take Advantage of the School Reopening Rush

January marks the reopening of schools across the country, creating urgent demand

for supplies and services for both schools and parents.

With Jackfruit Finance, you can access up to Ksh1 million in under 24 hours, using only your car logbook as security.

If you’re ready to take advantage of school reopening opportunities and grow your business, start your SME loan application with Jackfruit Finance today. Apply here.