KEWOPA, in partnership with the Institute of Public Finance (IPF), conducted an evaluation of the SPALTA Project to assess the changes following business and financial management training.
The evaluation found that women are applying the skills gained in business planning, record keeping, financial management, savings and customer service. Some have increased their stock, diversified their products, employed staff and adopted digital marketing and payment platforms. Others have joined SACCOs, accessed loans and set savings targets to support business expansion.
The training has also changed how women manage their finances. One participant said, “I learnt to keep personal money from business money.” Others are using business records to track sales, identify fast-moving products and prepare budgets.
For Eunice Radiro, who runs a boutique, the training changed how she manages and grows her business.
“I sell clothes. Initially I only used to sell one thing. I’ve learnt to diversify and I have more products to sell in my boutique. I was also taught how to open Till number and my customer approach has improved and my sales record has improved because I’ve learnt record keeping.”
Women are also using business plans to set targets for expanding their businesses, increasing M-Pesa float, putting up business structures and acquiring additional equipment.
The evaluation identified limited access to capital, stiff competition and slow business growth as challenges that continue to affect their businesses.
The experience in Homa Bay shows that practical business skills can improve how women plan, manage and make decisions in their enterprises. But skills need to be matched with access to capital, markets and continued support if women are to expand their businesses and create more opportunities.
When women have the skills to build and manage their businesses, the next question is whether they have the resources to take those businesses to the next level