Absa Kenya partners with Women’s World Banking to boost women-led businesses in Kenya through loans, training, and agribusiness-focused financial inclusion.
Absa Bank Kenya has taken a bold step toward enhancing financial inclusion in Kenya by partnering with Women’s World Banking (WWB). The agreement was sealed on May 15, 2025, during a high-level WWB partners’ breakfast held in Nairobi.
This strategic alliance is set to expand the impact of Absa’s Women in Business (WIB) program by blending WWB’s global expertise in gender finance with Absa’s robust local market knowledge.
Bridging Kenya’s Gender Credit Gap
Despite growing numbers of female entrepreneurs, women-led businesses in Kenya continue to face systemic hurdles in accessing credit. This partnership aims to tackle these challenges by offering:
- Tailored loan products
- Business training and mentorship
- Digital tools for underserved areas
The initiative specifically targets rural and marginalized women, empowering them with tools for success in formal markets.
Synergy of Global Vision and Local Reach
“This collaboration creates the perfect platform that combines Absa’s local experience with Women’s World Banking’s global expertise,”
— Elizabeth Wasunna–Ochwa, Director of Business Banking, Absa Kenya
The move builds upon the success of Absa’s SHE proposition, which has already impacted over 1 million women through funding, training, and development support.
Focus Area: Women in Agribusiness
The first Statement of Work (SOW) under the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will zero in on women in agribusiness—a key but under-supported demographic in Kenya’s agriculture-driven economy.
This segmental focus aims to:
- Strengthen community wealth
- Improve food security
- Promote rural economic innovation
“As we launch this partnership in agribusiness, we see enormous potential to empower women, build resilience, and spark generational change,”
— Mary Ellen Iskenderian, CEO, Women’s World Banking
Redefining Inclusive Banking Across Africa
If the Absa–WWB model proves successful, it could become a blueprint for gender-inclusive banking across the African continent. Today, more than 60% of women-led SMEs in Africa still face barriers in accessing formal credit, according to global development data.
This partnership not only reimagines inclusive banking in Kenya, but also aligns with continental financial inclusion goals by merging domestic banking frameworks with global gender-equity strategies.
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