Five months of easing inflation is encouraging, but rate cuts depend on what the MPC believes about future inflation and FX stability. Banks price SME loans off their cost of funds and perceived risk; until NPLs fall and liquidity improves, offers will still be conservative. That said, smart SMEs can prepare now: clean up books, separate owner withdrawals from business cash, and produce a 12-month cash flow with assumptions. Secure purchase orders and recurring invoicing to prove predictability. Explore development finance windows and revenue-based finance rather than only term loans. If rates soften later this year, those with tidy financials will be first in line. Inflation easing should also reflect in inventory strategy: smaller, faster turns; less dead stock; and pricing reviews tied to replacement cost, not sentiment. Play the fundamentals while the macro picture improves.