A new €3.3 million (Sh472 million) initiative has been launched to boost financial inclusion and business support for women-led enterprises across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a special focus on sustainability and green transformation.
The announcement came during the EU-Kenya Business Forum in Nairobi, where Dutch impact investment firm Goodwell, the European Union (EU), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) signed a strategic agreement aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs.
“This partnership marks a major milestone for us at Goodwell,” said Lilian Oyando, Associate Partner 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.”
The effort is part of the larger Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA-WE4A) programme. It is co-financed by the EU, the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The partnership will concentrate its activities in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. As part of the plan, up to 20 women entrepreneurs are expected to access SME loan guarantees, while at least 15 others will benefit from concessional loans. In addition, 100 women-led businesses operating in environmentally focused industries, such as clean energy and sustainable agriculture, will receive customized technical support.
Dr. Christoph Zipfel, Programme Director at GIZ, emphasized the broader significance of the collaboration. “Our collaboration with Goodwell is a crucial step toward unlocking new opportunities for women entrepreneurs in green sectors.”
Hans Stausball, Acting Director of the EU’s INTPA Africa Department, also expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential impact. “By joining forces with GIZ and Goodwell, we are ensuring that women across Africa are better positioned to lead in the green economy.”
The agreement reflects a growing commitment among development partners to not only improve access to finance for women but also to align business growth with environmental goals. As the programme rolls out, stakeholders believe it can contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic development and support Africa’s shift toward greener industries.
The EU-Kenya Business Forum ended with renewed calls for long-term investment and sustained collaboration to keep women entrepreneurs at the center of Africa’s green transition.
