Advertisement How Women Entrepreneurs Are Unlocking Growth CapitalWomen entrepreneurs are transforming Kenyas economy. They run nearly half of the countrys micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), create thousands of jobs and strengthen local value chains. Yet many still struggle to access the capital they need to expand.To bridge that gap, NCBA Bank, in partnership with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), has intensified efforts to prepare women-owned businesses for investment through the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) Women SMEs Acceleration Programme.The initiative combines business training, mentorship, market access and financing to help women entrepreneurs build stronger, investment-ready enterprises capable of attracting long-term growth capital.Turning Ambition into Investment OpportunitiesThe programme reached a major milestone with its final investment pitch showcase, where 32 women entrepreneurs presented their business expansion plans and financing needs before an investment panel comprising representatives from NCBA, AGF, Unga Group and the SME Support Centre.The showcase marked the culmination of an intensive acceleration journey designed to strengthen business models, improve governance, enhance financial management and prepare entrepreneurs to confidently engage investors.More importantly, it demonstrated that access to finance begins long before a loan application. It starts with building businesses that investors can trust.Women Continue to Face a Financing GapWomen-owned businesses account for about 48% of Kenyas MSMEs, according to a joint report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank.Despite their significant contribution to employment and economic growth, many continue to encounter barriers to accessing finance, markets and business development services.The AFAWA initiative, spearheaded by the African Development Bank, seeks to close Africas estimated USD 42 billion to USD 49 billion financing gap affecting women entrepreneurs.Through the partnership, NCBA and AGF aim to ensure more women gain access to the knowledge, networks and financial solutions required to scale sustainable businesses.Unlocking USD 5 Million for Women-Led BusinessesSince its launch, the programme has supported 82 women-owned SMEs across two cohorts.Participants represent diverse agricultural and agribusiness value chains, including cereals, coffee, avocados, mushrooms, poultry, livestock, fisheries, macadamia, bananas, seedlings and value-added food processing.The programme targets USD 5 million in financing for participating businesses. So far, it has already unlocked USD 1.365 million, highlighting the impact of combining business capability development with tailored financial solutions.How Women Entrepreneurs Are Unlocking Growth CapitalBuilding Businesses That Investors Can BackAccording to Linda Onyango, Chief Executive Officer of the SME Support Centre, the programme goes beyond improving access to finance.Our role has been to equip these women entrepreneurs with the practical skills, confidence and strategic mindset needed to build resilient businesses, she said.Throughout the programme, weve worked closely with them to strengthen their governance, financial management, business planning and pitching capabilities so that when they seek investment, they are truly investment ready.The emphasis on investment readiness reflects a growing recognition that sustainable business growth depends as much on strong leadership and sound financial practices as it does on capital.Banking on BeliefNCBA says the programme aligns with its purpose of Banking on Belief: Empowering Ambitions, which focuses on helping entrepreneurs achieve long-term success.Speaking during the pitch event, Dennis Njau, NCBA Group Director of Retail Banking, said the bank remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs with both financial and non-financial solutions.At NCBA, we believe every ambition matters, he said.Through our Banking on Belief strategy, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs with not only the capital they need to grow, but also the skills, networks and confidence to build resilient businesses. This programme demonstrates our belief that when we invest in people and communities, we unlock transformative impact.A Partnership Driving Financial InclusionThe African Guarantee Fund says the programme was intentionally designed to prepare women-owned businesses to confidently access formal financing.Our goal is to build a pipeline of bankable women-owned businesses that are ready to access financing through our partner, NCBA, said Ann Mwangi, representing AGF.She noted that the programme equips entrepreneurs with the confidence, business skills and investment readiness needed to position themselves for sustainable growth.The initiative brings together complementary expertise from AGF, AFAWA, the SME Support Centre, Unga Group and NCBA Bank.While AGF and AFAWA provide the risk-sharing framework that expands financing opportunities, the SME Support Centre delivers business acceleration and mentorship. Unga Group contributes market insights and industry exposure, while NCBA provides the financial products that help businesses scale.Investing in Women, Growing the EconomyBeyond financing individual businesses, the programme contributes to broader economic development by strengthening agricultural value chains, expanding financial inclusion and creating more resilient enterprises.It also supports NCBAs Change the Story agenda by addressing both financial and non-financial barriers that have historically limited the growth of women-owned businesses.Dennis Njau said meaningful partnerships create lasting impact for entrepreneurs and communities alike.When we combine partnerships, practical business support and innovative financing, we create opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow sustainable businesses that strengthen families, communities and the wider economy. That is how we continue to Change the Story.As more women entrepreneurs become investment-ready, initiatives such as the NCBA AFAWA Women SMEs Acceleration Programme are demonstrating that closing Africas financing gap requires more than capital.It requires the right skills, strong partnerships and an ecosystem that gives women-owned businesses every opportunity to thrive.The post How Women Entrepreneurs Are Unlocking Growth Capital appeared first on Africa Business News.