
Women entrepreneurs in Kenya are setting a bold new agenda for economic growth, with industry leaders convening to address critical barriers that have long hindered the expansion of women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The conversation, which took place at a high-impact forum in Nairobi, revealed both the challenges and strategic opportunities that could unlock significant economic potential across the country.
Addressing the Funding Crisis
The statistics paint a stark picture of the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Kenya. Only 7% of women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises have formal access to finance, creating a significant barrier to growth and expansion. This funding gap has become a central focus for organizations working to support women-led businesses, with experts advocating for alternative funding models including microfinance and grants to bridge the divide.
Susan Situma, director of Programs at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, emphasized the importance of strategic funding choices, warning that “not all funding is good funding” and encouraging women entrepreneurs to invest in understanding their business environment. Her advice centered on the need to build structured, trustworthy systems that attract the right kind of investment support.
The Power of Strategic Networking
Beyond funding, the forum highlighted networking as a critical component of business success. Women entrepreneurs were urged to join women-focused networks and create visibility within their sectors, as investors typically fund systems they can trust rather than just innovative ideas. This approach requires entrepreneurs to research their sectors thoroughly and align with relevant associations that can provide both support and credibility.
The emphasis on community networks reflects a broader understanding that business success often depends on collaborative relationships and strategic partnerships. These connections can provide access to mentorship, procurement opportunities, and the kind of intentional inclusion that panelists identified as essential for sustainable growth.
Digital Innovation as a Growth Catalyst
Technology emerged as a key theme throughout the discussions, with experts encouraging women entrepreneurs to embrace digital tools as enablers of growth. Sheena Raikundalia, chief growth officer at Kuza One, challenged attendees to focus on solving real problems and creating genuine value before pursuing funding opportunities. Her message emphasized the importance of building businesses with both local insight and global relevance.
The digital transformation conversation extended beyond basic technology adoption to encompass more sophisticated considerations around data protection and cybersecurity. As businesses increasingly operate in digital environments, these security measures have become essential components of sustainable growth strategies.
Cybersecurity and Data Protection
The forum addressed a critical but often overlooked aspect of business growth: cybersecurity. Martine Billmann, marketing manager for Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Genetec, warned that “growth without cybersecurity is a risk,” advocating for zero-trust strategies and compliance with global standards like GDPR. Her message was clear: cybersecurity isn’t optional in today’s business environment but rather essential armor for protecting valuable business assets.
This emphasis on data protection was reinforced by Carolyne Tanui, Principal Corporate Communications Officer at the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, who stressed that compliance with data protection laws builds trust, which serves as “the currency of long-term success”. The message highlighted that governance and compliance aren’t just concerns for large corporations but essential practices for businesses of all sizes.

Economic Impact and Future Vision
The broader economic implications of supporting women-led enterprises became a central theme of the discussions. With women representing the majority in MSMEs and contributing significantly to job creation and Kenya’s GDP, the potential for economic transformation through women’s entrepreneurship is substantial. Mareva Koulamallah, founder and CEO of Marevak Consulting, captured this potential succinctly: “Every woman we empower through entrepreneurship contributes meaningfully to a stronger economy and community”.
The forum, organized by Women Choice under the theme “Scaling Women-Led SMEs: Opportunities, Challenges & Strategic Growth,” brought together 45 changemakers including women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and ecosystem enablers. This collaborative approach reflects a growing recognition that supporting women-led businesses requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors and stakeholders.
Setting the Foundation for Long-term Change
Nezha Aloui, CEO of Women Choice, framed the forum as more than just a discussion, describing it as “a blueprint for unlocking greatness” and emphasizing that women-led SMEs are “an essential pillar to Kenya’s prosperity”. This perspective positions the conversation as the beginning of a sustained, action-driven agenda rather than a one-time event.
The forum’s outcomes suggest a shift toward more intentional inclusion in policy, partnerships, mentorship, and procurement opportunities. This comprehensive approach recognizes that addressing the challenges facing women entrepreneurs requires systemic changes across multiple areas of the business ecosystem.
The emphasis on decolonizing mindsets and building businesses rooted in local insight while maintaining global relevance reflects a sophisticated understanding of how Kenyan women entrepreneurs can compete effectively in both domestic and international markets. This balance between local knowledge and global standards appears to be emerging as a key strategy for sustainable growth.
As Kenya’s women entrepreneurs continue to navigate challenges around funding, technology adoption, and regulatory compliance, the conversations initiated at this forum provide a roadmap for addressing these barriers systematically. The focus on building trustworthy systems, embracing digital innovation, and maintaining strong cybersecurity practices offers a practical framework for sustainable business growth in an increasingly complex economic environment.