On 26th and 27th July 2023, I had the pleasure of organising and facilitating a two-day Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Workshop by the Graça Machel Trust in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, for their Women Creating Wealth – Intergenerational (WCW-I) Program.
The goal is to scale its successful women entrepreneurship model to support 3,500 African women-led enterprises in Kenya, Senegal, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa. The project aims to create 52,500 work opportunities for youth (70% young women), advancing the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works and Gender strategy.
In two weeks I gathered and personally meet with top women entrepreneurship ecosystem players in Kenya, to discuss what building intergenerational wealth for women and youth practically looks like in our country.
Amongst us were:
Business giants like Flora Mutahi of Melvin’s Group, Eva Muraya of BSD Group, Suzie Wokabi of SuzieBeauty & Ciiru Waweru or Anjiru.
🔸Community builders like Isis Nyong’o of WomenWork, Maureen Amakabane of Nyayo Mums Sokos, and Georgia Webber of KOFISI Africa.
🔸Capacity Builders like Salome Ayugi of Sinapis Group, June Ranja of SNDBX, Faustina Ning’a of WYLDE International and Renee Ngamau of Reneesence.
🔸Researchers like Stella Kimani from Intellecap and Advocacy partners like Pauline Wangeci of KNCCI and Janet Kamotho of MSEA.
🔸And reps of pro-women banks like Elizabeth Wasunna of Absa Bank Kenya and Charity Kabiru of KWFT.
Gracing us were the Graca Machel Trust Senior Entrepreneurship Manager, Korkor Cudjoe and Investment Director, Andia Chakava.
Also, affiliate partners from New Faces New Voices with Chairperson, Caroline Armstrong and Vice Chairperson, Wangeci Gitata.
My greatest joy as a facilitator was hearing different generations of Kenyan women business ecosystem builders say they really felt seen, heard and well taken care of in our safe space.