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IFC Partners with Equity to Empower Kenyan Women Entrepreneurs
Equity Bank Kenya and Equity Group Foundation have entered into a new partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to roll out the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women online course.
The initiative is designed to promote entrepreneurship among women by providing practical business education and global exposure.
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program is a global initiative that supports economic growth by offering entrepreneurs access to high-quality, interactive business education.
It features instruction by top educators from leading business schools and has already reached over 200,000 entrepreneurs across the world.
Developed by Goldman Sachs and delivered through the University of Leeds, the online education platform is now open to all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) supported by Equity Bank Kenya and Equity Group Foundation.
Participants will access all ten business courses and become eligible to join the 10,000 Women alumni network.
This strategic collaboration builds on Equity Group’s ongoing commitment to empowering women through financial inclusion and entrepreneurial education.
For years, the Group has worked to equip women with essential business skills through its flagship Fanikisha program, which launched in 2007.
IFC Partners with Equity to Empower Kenyan Women Entrepreneurs
Building on Fanikisha’s Legacy to Drive Inclusive Growth
Equity Bank will play an active role in mobilizing, enrolling, and supporting women entrepreneurs through the 20-week training program.
Using the existing Fanikisha network, the bank will reach women already participating in business and eager to expand their knowledge. This includes customers in the Shaba, Almasi, Dhahabu, and Platini tiers.
The 10,000 Women program aligns with Fanikisha’s vision of equipping women with both financial literacy and strategic business skills.
Equity Group is focused not just on lending but also on providing the knowledge required to build resilient, well-managed enterprises.
Beyond the Fanikisha initiative, the Group’s Pamoja Banking model continues to offer support to organized women groups. These include access to credit, capacity-building, and ongoing mentorship.
Additionally, by engaging women at the grassroots level, Pamoja Banking advances Equity’s broader mission to transform lives through financial empowerment.
Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating that women entrepreneurs are key to building a more inclusive and dynamic economy.
He noted that the program would leverage the bank’s regional presence and digital channels to reach women across the country.
Jesman Chonzi, IFC’s Manager for Financial Institutions Group in East Africa, also welcomed the collaboration. He highlighted the critical role that women-owned businesses play in economic development and job creation.
According to him, the 10,000 Women program addresses a vital need in Kenya by providing skills that improve business performance and access to financing.
In Kenya, women-led MSMEs continue to face major hurdles, especially in accessing credit. Research shows that unmet demand for financing among this group is as high as 83 percent.
Lastly, by improving business acumen and financial literacy, this program aims to increase the bankability of women entrepreneurs while supporting broader national goals around inclusive growth and job creation.
https://africabusinessnews.co.ke/equity-bank-sponsors-muranga-investment-forum-with-sh15m-boost/
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