Busu Naturals Wins 2.5 Million ‘She’s Next Kenya’ Grant Competition

Busu Naturals, an innovative SME specializing in locally manufactured emollients tailored for sensitive African skin, has been named the winner of the Visa She’s Next Kenya Grant Competition. This program, organized by Visa, aims to foster an inclusive and equitable environment where women business owners can thrive. It supports women-owned small businesses through funding, training, and mentorship.

Winners and Awards:

Busu Naturals received the grand prize of KES 2.5 million. The second and third place winners, Timao Group and Code with Kids, were awarded KES 2 million and KES 1 million, respectively. Additionally, Crafts with Meaning and Cladfy each received KES 500,000 as recognition for their outstanding participation in the competition.

Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Visa Kenya Country Manager, expressed her pride in recognizing these exemplary SMEs. “We are delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural She’s Next Kenya grant competition. We are proud to recognize these SMEs who have exhibited remarkable innovation, resilience, and vision, which will serve them well as they seek to positively contribute to the Kenyan economy. We are excited about walking this journey with them to see them hit new heights using the skills and strategies the She’s Next program will equip them with.”

Emma Omany, CEO of Busu Naturals, spoke on the significance of the win. “This win means a lot to us because it gives us confidence and affirms that we are on the right track. It is a testament to the fact that small steps matter and that everything we have done thus far is aiding our mission. The support we will get through this grant and training will help us grow our capacity and expand our market reach. It shall also go a long way in generating impact for us since we are focused on creating more opportunities for the women and youth in our value chain.”

Profiles of Winning SMEs:

1. Busu Naturals – Specializes in locally manufactured emollients for sensitive African skin, utilizing local botanicals and traditional beauty practices from various Kenyan ethnicities to produce high-quality, safe, and consistent skincare products.
2. Cladfy – Works to close the credit gap in sub-Saharan Africa’s informal sector by enabling micro-lenders to provide working capital loans to micro-businesses, including smallholder farmers, fish vendors, and motorcycle riders.
3. Code with Kids – Provides affordable and accessible STEM education to children from low-income backgrounds, ensuring that socio-economic barriers do not hinder their ability to learn, innovate, and succeed.
4. Crafts with Meaning – An award-winning social enterprise that collaborates with artisans in Kenya and Uganda to create home decor goods, lifestyle accessories, bags, and corporate merchandise inspired by African heritage.
5. Timao Group – Tackles plastic pollution and affordable housing in Kenya by transforming plastic waste into durable, cost-effective building materials for modular homes.

The She’s Next Kenya Grant Competition underscores Visa’s dedication to supporting women entrepreneurs and providing them with the necessary resources, tools, and mentorship to succeed. As the program progresses, it sets a benchmark for future efforts to empower women in business, driving economic growth and societal progress in Kenya and beyond.