- By Jeff Kizzilah
Absa Kenya & GIZ Launch Bold Women-Focused MSME Drive Targeting EUR 2M Financing and 6,000 Tonnes Waste Reduction by 2026
Absa Kenya, in partnership with GIZ, has unveiled a transformative initiative aimed at closing the financing gap facing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with a strong focus on women-led businesses. The programme leverages the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) framework to unlock opportunities for women entrepreneurs and accelerate inclusive economic growth.
Through the SHE Academy Programme, the two institutions are reinforcing their commitment to empowering women-owned MSMEs as key drivers of economic transformation. The initiative seeks to enhance access to finance, build entrepreneurial capacity, and position women-led enterprises at the forefront of sustainable development in Kenya.
By 2028, the programme targets to mobilise over EUR 2 million in financing, while also delivering significant environmental impact. This includes the redirection of approximately 6,000 tonnes of waste through innovative approaches such as reduction, reuse, repair, and recycling—underscoring a strong alignment between economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.
The Absa Kenya Foundation continues to anchor its work on four strategic pillars: Entrepreneurship, Education and Skills Development, Natural Resource Management, and Health and Humanitarian Relief. The CirculaRising programme directly advances three of these pillars, demonstrating a holistic approach to development that integrates business growth with environmental stewardship.
This initiative reflects Absa’s broader purpose of empowering Africa’s future by supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening enterprises, and driving sustainable economic transformation. By investing in women-led MSMEs, Absa Kenya and GIZ are not only unlocking business potential but also fostering resilient communities and a more inclusive economy.
