The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) took part in the SHE GROWS Stakeholder Roundtable and Launch, held on 5th November 2025 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi, reaffirming its commitment to advancing the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Kenya.

The event brought together stakeholders from government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector to strengthen collaboration in supporting women-led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs). The SHE GROWS Programme, a strategic initiative, seeks to unlock the growth potential of women-owned businesses by addressing barriers such as limited access to finance, underdeveloped support systems, and gender-based biases.

In his keynote address, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto emphasized that when women grow, the nation flourishes. He highlighted KNCCI’s ongoing efforts through the Women in Business (WIB) Committee, established in 2016, to empower, connect, and champion women entrepreneurs across all 47 counties.

“Our vision is simple has the tools, networks, and opportunities to grow her business and transform her community,” Dr. Rutto said. “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”

Dr. Rutto outlined findings from the KNCCI 2025 Business Barometer, noting that women own 40% of Kenyan businesses but continue to face challenges such as limited access to capital, gender bias, and low participation in public procurement despite policy provisions. He detailed KNCCI’s interventions through initiatives like the Chamber Business Academy, the Isoko Platform, and the AGPO Strengthening Project, all designed to boost women’s competitiveness and inclusion in trade and investment.

KNCCI Advisor on Women in Business, Ms. Nancy Muthoni, also participated actively in the programme — both in the opening session and as a panelist in the discussion on Strengthening the Women-Led SME Ecosystem. She emphasized the importance of building supportive networks and ensuring that women entrepreneurs are integrated into regional and global supply chains.

The event featured sessions on finance, investment readiness, and market access, with partners such as the     and the EU Delegation sharing insights and partnership opportunities.

The roundtable concluded with a commitment ceremony co-led by Dr. Erick Rutto and IFC’s Marieme Niang, where stakeholders pledged to support the implementation of the SHE GROWS programme.

KNCCI pledged its commitment to championing inclusive growth, advocating for gender-responsive policies, and fostering partnerships that ensure women-owned businesses are not just participants but drivers of Kenya’s economic transformation.