𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄

Women entrepreneurs in Samburu are putting into practice the skills gained through training and mentorship conducted by KEWOPA in partnership with the Institute of Public Finance (IPF).

The training equipped women with practical skills in financial management, business planning, savings, access to credit and participation in public decision-making.

During a monitoring and evaluation session, participants reflected on changes in record keeping, budgeting, saving, debt management, business planning and setting growth targets. They also shared how SACCOs and savings groups are helping them build working capital and access financial opportunities.

The training has also strengthened women’s confidence to participate in public governance and budgeting processes, raise issues affecting women and their businesses, and advocate for Women’s Economic Empowerment priorities in government plans and budgets.

For Josephine Lelegewe, the training has changed how she approaches business diversification and financing.

“The training has taught me to diversify my business. I used to be afraid of taking loans, but I am now more receptive to them and willing to take calculated risks to grow my business.”

Her experience reflects a shift in how women are approaching business growth, with greater focus on diversification, financial planning and calculated investment.

The changes extend beyond individual businesses. Women are using the knowledge gained through the training to engage in decision-making spaces, raise issues affecting their livelihoods and participate in discussions on public budgets and policies.

The experience in Samburu shows that strengthening women’s economic position requires both business skills and the confidence to participate in decisions that shape their economic opportunities.

As women improve how they manage their businesses and increase their participation in public decision-making, continued access to finance, markets, business support and opportunities to influence policy will be critical to sustaining this progress.