SMEP is a leading Christian microfinance organization in Kenya, registered in 1999 and fully owned by NCCK.

Before then, it existed in various forms, initially as a feeding programme for the children in the slums of Mathare, later as a credit program for such people to obtain small loans.

SMEP now serves over 65,000 clients with a total portfolio of almost KES 1 billion. It is a nationwide institution with 20 branches and 13 satellites covering all major towns in Kenya.

The primary goal of SMEP is to improve the standard of living of economically poor and marginalised entrepreneurs by providing access to credit and other services to stimulate economic growth.

To achieve this goal, SMEP is guided by the following objectives:

* Increase income generating activities among low income entrepreneurs
* Improve the business management skills of her clients
* Increase job opportunities and raise incomes for her target clients
* Create an economically sustainable credit program

In 2009, SMEP achieved a major milestone by partnering with Safaricom to enable its clients repay their loans using M-PESA. Today SMEP clients cannot only repay their loan but also can save as little as KES 50 through M-PESA by opening a Hazina plus account.

In 2010, SMEP is undergoing another transformation. It is making the transition from a credit-only institution to one that can also take deposits (under the Kenyan Microfinance Act of 2006). In preparation, SMEP is opening branch facilities where its clients can not only receive and pay back loans, but also deposit money into savings accounts.