On 31st January, 2023, KNCCI in partnership with GIZ officially launched the Women entrepreneurship for Africa (WE4A) project at the Royal Tulip Canaan Hotel, Kilimani Nairobi.The project inception networking breakfast meeting provided an opportunity to bring together all the project stakeholders to review the project work plan and partnerships, execution criteria and the deliverables from both GIZ and KNCCI for the benefit of WE4A beneficiaries from different counties.

In attendance was KNCCI officials led by the Chamber President Mr. Richard Ngatia, Chamber Vice second Vice President Madam Fatma Elmaawy, GIZ project lead Ms. Tracy Weru, Family Bank CEO Ms. Rebecca Mbithi and the KNCCI Ag. Patrick Nyangweso as well as chamber members and stakeholders.

The Chamber president Mr. Richard Ngatia congratulated the women entrepreneurs and noted the key role Women play in enabling economies to achieve sustainable development goals.He assured the entrepreneurs that through the project, KNCCI will aim to provide and establish strategic and sustainable linkages within their value chains, market linkages, as well as effective B2B and investor matchmaking sessions with regional and local and international partners.

Speaking during the launch, the Chamber second Vice president madam Fatma Elmaawy said that the project was a testament to KNCCI commitment to empower women and support their entrepreneurial pursuits. She added that Women have proven to be innovative and capable business leaders, and it is time for KNCCI to provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed. “WE4A will provide investment opportunities and Networking Meeting to help women turn their ideas into successful ventures. We recognize that women face unique challenges in the business world, and this WE4A
will address those challenges head-on”. She noted.

The family Bank CEO, Ms. Mbithi took the women entrepreneurs through the different products and services that Family Bank can offer them.

KNCCI’s committment
✓ Connect businesses with potential investors and partners.
✓ Provide networking opportunities for businesses to meet and collaborate.
✓ Facilitate business-to-business introductions and matchmaking.
✓ Promote investment opportunities in local businesses to potential investors.
✓ Provide information and resources on funding options for businesses.
✓ Advocate for a favorable business environment to attract investment and promote growth.

Background and objectives
The KNCCI-GIZ Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (WE4A) project combines the expertise of its different partners to create a pathway to success for women entrepreneurs in Africa. It supports women entrepreneurs across Africa by increasing access to first stage and second stage financing as well as technical support for
businesses to grow. In Kenya, based on Entrepreneurship for Development (E4D’s) existing networks of African and European companies and industry stakeholders, female-led MSMEs who are alumni of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, that pass the start-up stage will be integrated into the supply chains of larger lead businesses and provided with needs-based technical trainings.

This project aims to Increase market access to at least 63 Women entrepreneurs, alumni of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) through business networking, investor and B2B match-making.The women entrepreneurs are drawn from the following counties: Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kajiado, Garissa, Machakos, Uasin Gishu, Siaya, Kisumu, Nyeri, Busia Kisii, Nyamira, Mombasa and Busia.