New pact secures Sh478.8m funding for women entrepreneurs

The Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA-WE4A) programme marked a significant milestone during the EU Kenya Business Forum on 12 May 2025, with the official signing of a new partnership of 3.3 million euros (Sh478.8 million) focused on boosting access to finance and business support for women entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The partnership was signed between Goodwell, a Dutch impact investment firm with over 20 years of experience in Africa, the European Union (EU), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Held in Nairobi, the event highlighted the commitment of all partners to advancing gender equality and promoting the green transformation through support to women-led businesses.

Co-financed by the EU, the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the IYBA-WE4A programme aims to strengthen economic empowerment for women entrepreneurs in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The collaboration with Goodwell will provide up to 20 entrepreneurs with SME loan guarantees and at least 15 with concessional loans, as well as tailored technical assistance to 100 women entrepreneurs, including those working in sectors driving green transformation.

IYBA WE4A combines the expertise of its partners to create a pathway to success for women entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa. To unlock their full potential, IYBA WE4A seeks to enhance business capacities, improve access to financial services, and boost growth opportunities for African women entrepreneurs leading businesses in green sectors.

Lilian Oyando, Associate Partner at Goodwell, said during the event, “This partnership marks a major milestone for us at Goodwell. Through this initiative, we aim to empower women-led businesses with the financial tools and technical support needed to grow sustainably and drive the green transformation on the continent.”

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Dr Christoph Zipfel, Programme Director of Sustainable Economic Development Cluster at GIZ, commented, “Our collaboration with Goodwell is a crucial step toward unlocking new opportunities for women entrepreneurs in green sectors. This partnership not only drives forward gender equality but also supports inclusive economic development across Africa.”

“This initiative exemplifies Team Europe’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and sustainable development. By joining forces with GIZ and Goodwell, we are ensuring that women across Africa are better positioned to lead in the green economy,” added Hans Stausball, Acting Director of EU INTPA Africa Department.

The event concluded with a strong message of collaboration and long-term commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs who are essential to building a greener, more equitable future.