A new partnership between Equity Bank Kenya, Equity Group Foundation and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is set to transform the entrepreneurial landscape for women in Kenya. The collaboration will roll out the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women online course, an initiative designed to provide women entrepreneurs with world-class business education and a global network of support. At its heart, this program is not just about learning; it’s about unlocking potential and opening the door to opportunity for thousands of women-led businesses.
This initiative arrives at a time when small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those led by women, face steep challenges accessing finance and growing their ventures. In Kenya, the unmet financial demand among women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises stands at a staggering 83%. The 10,000 Women program aims to address this gap by equipping women with practical business skills, enhancing their bankability and enabling them to thrive in today’s competitive market.
Through this collaboration, Equity Bank and the Equity Group Foundation will take a leading role in identifying and enrolling women across Kenya. The program will leverage Equity’s existing Fanikisha network, built over the years to support women with financial literacy and access to credit, to offer this opportunity to women already part of the bank’s ecosystem. From financial knowledge to strategic planning, marketing and operations, the curriculum is designed to empower women at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
Scaling Access to Business Education
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative is a global effort to promote inclusive economic growth by providing women with access to high-quality, practical business education. Developed by Goldman Sachs and delivered through the University of Leeds, the program is fully online and interactive, with content created by educators from top business schools. It includes ten courses that cover everything from managing finances and understanding customers to digital strategy and leadership. Participants who complete the program gain access to a powerful global alumni network of like-minded entrepreneurs.
The launch of this initiative in Kenya marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to support women-led SMEs. Any Equity Bank Kenya or Equity Group Foundation SME can access the full curriculum and become part of the global alumni community. This is a step forward in bridging the gender gap in entrepreneurship, ensuring that women have the resources and support they need to build successful businesses.
Speaking on the partnership, Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings, emphasized the bank’s longstanding commitment to empowering women in business. The implementation will be driven through Equity’s Fanikisha program, launched in 2007 to provide financial literacy and business development support to women entrepreneurs. Women already engaged in Fanikisha through categories like Shaba, Almasi, Dhahabu and Platini will receive direct invitations to join the 20-week training. The initiative continues the Fanikisha mission of equipping women with the tools to succeed sustainably in business.
A Foundation Built on Impact and Inclusion
For the IFC, the partnership underscores its dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth through private sector engagement.
This program is more than just online training. It’s part of a broader ecosystem Equity has built to support financial inclusion and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. Through its Pamoja Banking approach, Equity brings people together in groups to receive credit, financial training and continuous business support. This model has helped transform thousands of lives by creating access to financial tools and fostering a culture of self-reliance and economic growth. Pamoja Banking and Fanikisha complement each other, ensuring that every participant in the 10,000 Women program is supported before, during and after the training.
The impact of this initiative could be profound. SMEs account for a significant portion of Kenya’s employment and GDP. By giving women-led SMEs access to education and global networks, the program aims to spur job creation, encourage innovation and drive inclusive growth across the country. It also positions Equity Group and IFC as leaders in unlocking the potential of women in business, not just in Kenya but across the region.
A Shared Vision for Africa’s Future
The partnership also reflects the broader ambitions of the Equity Group Foundation, which was created in 2008 to drive transformation in lives and livelihoods across Africa. The Foundation’s mission is to impact 100 million people by 2030 through programs in education, health, agriculture, clean energy, enterprise development and financial inclusion. By integrating the 10,000 Women initiative into its enterprise development pillar, EGF adds another dimension to its support for African entrepreneurs.
The Goldman Sachs Foundation, which developed the 10,000 Women program, has a long track record of promoting entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth. Since its inception in 1999, it has invested globally in education and community development initiatives. With the University of Leeds delivering the course content, participants in Kenya can expect a world-class learning experience tailored to real-world challenges.
Equity Bank Kenya’s role is pivotal. As one of the largest banks in Kenya, with over 15 million customers, the bank brings unmatched reach and experience in serving SMEs, women entrepreneurs and underserved communities. Through its multi-channel delivery, including retail and business banking, corporate services and digital platforms, it is uniquely positioned to implement this initiative at scale.
The 10,000 Women partnership is a natural progression of Equity’s journey. From financial literacy to inclusive lending models, from supporting community-based groups to enabling digital entrepreneurship, Equity Bank continues to expand its impact. This new initiative is not just a program; it’s a movement to recognize and unlock the economic power of women in Kenya.
As the program rolls out in the coming weeks, thousands of women across Kenya will gain access to the tools, networks and knowledge needed to build lasting, successful businesses. And as they grow, so too will the communities around them, fueling a ripple effect of empowerment, resilience and economic prosperity that will define the next chapter of inclusive growth in Kenya.
