The Women Enterprise Fund orchestrated a highly successful stakeholders’ validation workshop, illuminating the contours of its imminent fifth strategic plan spanning the years 2023 to 2027. The pivotal event not only underscored the Fund’s commitment to its mission but also served as a platform for unveiling transformative initiatives that are poised to redefine the landscape for women entrepreneurs.
In March 2023, Dr. Josephine Obonyo, the articulate representative of the PS, State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, delivered a compelling address that resonated with the audience. She illuminated the Fund’s progressive pivot towards digital processes, an innovative approach that manifested in the expeditious disbursement of Kshs. 941 million to an impressive 18,955 groups within a mere three months. This commendable achievement underscored the Fund’s commitment to efficiency and its responsiveness to the evolving needs of its beneficiaries.
Dr. Obonyo, echoing the sentiments of the Fund’s leadership, emphasized resilience and sustainability as linchpins within the strategic plan. Given the intricacies of the current dynamic economic environment, these components were deemed indispensable for ensuring the enduring impact of the Fund’s interventions.
Jane C. Lang, the distinguished Chairperson of the Advisory Board, assumed the podium during the workshop, articulating key strategic objectives with precision and foresight. Central to these objectives was the imperative to enhance market access, cultivate financial acumen and entrepreneurial skills, streamline loan accessibility for women entrepreneurs, and fortify institutional capabilities. Lang’s elucidation of these strategic pillars underscored a comprehensive approach aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs holistically.
The proposed strategic plan is characterized by its audacious goals, indicative of the Fund’s unwavering commitment to catalyzing significant change. The plan envisions disbursing Kshs. 30 billion to empower 5 million women entrepreneurs, a financial injection poised to catalyze transformative growth across diverse sectors. Simultaneously, the plan ambitiously aims to provide essential skills training to 1,000,000 women, equipping them with the tools necessary for navigating the competitive business landscape.
Market access, a pivotal determinant of success for any entrepreneur, assumes a prominent role in the strategic vision. The Fund aspires to facilitate market entry for over 200,000 women entrepreneurs over the next five years, fostering an environment where their enterprises can thrive and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
The stakeholders’ validation workshop not only validated the strategic vision but also served as a testament to the Women Enterprise Fund’s unwavering dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs.
As the Fund strides into the future, armed with a dynamic and ambitious strategic plan, it remains poised to be a beacon of empowerment, fostering a landscape where women entrepreneurs can flourish and redefine the contours of economic success.
