The meeting was received by KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto, accompanied by KNCCI National Director Ken Onditi and Women in Business (WIB) Advisor Nancy Muthoni.

During the discussions, Dr. Rutto highlighted the significance of the Chamber@60 celebrations, which will feature activities across 10 counties culminating in a three-day flagship event in Nairobi. The celebrations are expected to attract local and international investors, business leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond.

Key highlights of the planned celebrations include:

• Participation of over 350 exhibitors, including 50 exhibitors from Kenyan counties.
• Confirmation of more than 70 companies from China and 100 businesses from the East African Community region.
• Participation of chambers of commerce and business delegations from countries including Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Djibouti, and other African markets.
• The prestigious Kenya Business Awards, which will recognize outstanding business achievements and innovation.
• A dedicated Deal Room that will facilitate direct engagement between investors and financiers to unlock investment and financing opportunities.

Dr. Rutto noted that KNCCI will also facilitate targeted Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements for Absa clients during the celebrations, creating opportunities for partnerships, trade expansion, and investment deals.

Speaking during the meeting, Elizabeth Wasunna expressed Absa’s interest in supporting the Chamber@60 initiative and leveraging its presence across 13 African countries to attract exhibitors and investors. She emphasized the importance of positioning exhibitors as both buyers and sellers, promoting meaningful deal-making opportunities, and encouraging the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) as measurable outcomes of the event.

Absa also underscored the need for well-developed promotional materials to attract the right business connections and maximize networking opportunities.

Among the opportunities discussed was the possibility of Absa South Africa partnering with KNCCI and the South African Chamber to host an East African business event, while Absa Ghana could play a key role in strengthening trade and investment linkages between East and West Africa.

Next Steps

• Absa will leverage its network across 13 African countries to attract exhibitors, investors, and business delegations to the Chamber@60 celebrations.
• KNCCI and Absa will establish a joint technical working group to coordinate partnership activities and ensure successful delivery of the Chamber@60 programme.

The post KNCCI and Absa Explore Strategic Partnership Opportunities Ahead of Chamber@60 Celebrations appeared first on KNCCI.

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.

The post KNCCI Champions Women’s Economic Empowerment at the SHE GROWS Stakeholder Roundtable & Launch appeared first on KNCCI.