Absa Bank Kenya, in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Employment and Skills for Development in Africa (E4D) Programme, supported by Yunus Environment Hub, successfully concluded the “SHE STARS – See Her Empowered”. Launched to aid women-owned businesses in Kenya affected by the Covid-19 economic situation and heightened climate risks, the program spanned over 18 months.

During this period, Yunus Environment Hub provided support to 1,300 women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises, empowering them to build more resilient, sustainable, and competitive businesses in the face of disrupted livelihoods, climate change, biodiversity loss, and a resource-depleting economy. Beneficiaries were equipped with tools and skills to capitalize on their business models, fostering change and adaptability within their operational landscapes.

Employing a blended finance and business development approach, SHE STARS aimed to enhance entrepreneurs’ business capabilities, increase income opportunities, and create jobs. The program included tailored mentorship, interactive business training, and extensive networking opportunities with experienced entrepreneurs. The selected participants underwent a capacity-building journey with a focus on business skills, COVID-19 risk mitigation, response, and resilience building.

Selected participants gained access to:

• Business skills and COVID-19 risk mitigation training through a 3-month learning program tailored to their needs, featuring practical applications and engaging activities.
• Business development services, mentoring, and coaching via an extensive mentoring program, involving various mentor roles (Big Sisters), networking opportunities, community building, and support.
• Markets and finance through dedicated support and networking sessions post-training, including opportunities to connect with the International Trade Centre and other partners within the Absa network.

The program invited women entrepreneurs from various sectors, including agribusiness value chains, hospitality and tourism, retail and wholesale, manufacturing and production, education, information and communications technology, textile and clothing, and business services (consultancy and basic services such as waste management and sanitation).

We would like to extend our gratitude to all participants and stakeholders for their commitment to the SHE STARS initiative. For further information, please visit the CirculaRise Academy page.