By Peace Muthoka.
Nairobi, Kenya – June 18, 2025. Women Choice, an international organization advancing sustainable initiatives for women, hosted a high-impact forum titled Driving Growth for Women-Led SMEs in Kenya.
The event served as a strategic platform to unlock opportunities for women entrepreneurs and amplify their role in the country’s economic growth.Held at the Tamarind Brasserie in Karen, the forum themed Scaling Women-Led SMEs: Opportunities, Challenges & Strategic Growth brought together 45 influential voices, including women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and ecosystem enablers.
The gathering focused on identifying barriers hindering the growth of women-led enterprises and proposing bold, actionable solutions.Against the backdrop of a tough business environment where only 7% of women-owned MSMEs in Kenya have formal access to finance the forum examined critical obstacles such as limited funding, regulatory hurdles, and digital exclusion.
Participants explored alternative financing models, including grants and microfinance, as pathways to inclusive economic participation.
Nezha Aloui, CEO of Women Choice, emphasized the forum’s long-term vision. “This forum is not a destination, it’s a blueprint for unlocking greatness. Women-led SMEs are not ‘emerging’; they are already a vital pillar of Kenya’s prosperity.
Today’s conversation is the start of a sustained, action-driven agenda,” she said.A recurring message throughout the discussions was the need for intentional inclusion not just in policies, but in mentorship, partnerships, procurement, and digital access.
Speakers also stressed the importance of building strong community networks and leveraging technology to accelerate growth. Building Networks, Embracing Technology Susan Situma, Director of Programs at the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, urged women to be strategic when seeking funding.
“Not all funding is good funding,” she cautioned. “Understand your environment, join women-focused networks, and build structures that attract sustainable support. Investors fund systems they trust not just ideas.”
Echoing this sentiment, Sheena Raikundalia, Chief Growth Officer at Kuza One, encouraged entrepreneurs to embrace technology and develop businesses rooted in local realities with global relevance. “Before chasing funding, ask: what pain am I solving? What value am I offering? Customers are your biggest funders. Focus on feedback, trust, and impact not just donor terms,” she said.
In the digital age, cybersecurity emerged as a key concern for growth. Martine Billmann, Marketing Manager for Genetec in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, urged entrepreneurs to adopt a “zero-trust” strategy. “Every business challenge is a doorway to innovation. But growth without cybersecurity is a risk. Use secure platforms, comply with global standards like GDPR, and train your teams. You can’t scale what you can’t protect,” she advised.
Carolyne Tanui, Principal Corporate Communications Officer at the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and a former business editor, echoed the call for compliance. “Governance isn’t just for big corporations. Every business, regardless of size, must protect customer data. Your brand personal and corporate is your reputation. Trust is the currency of success,” she noted.
Collective Action for Inclusive Growth
With women making up the majority of Kenya’s MSME sector and contributing significantly to job creation and GDP, speakers called for collaborative support to fuel their growth.
Mareva Koulamallah, founder and CEO of Marevak Consulting, summed it up: “Every woman we empower through entrepreneurship strengthens our economy and communities. The math is simple the impact is exponential.”
