Absa Bank Kenya Partners with the International Trade Centre to Host 10,000 Women Entrepreneurs
Absa Bank Kenya and the International Trade Centre (ITC) SheTrades Kenya Hub are set to host the continent’s largest gathering of women entrepreneurs, targeting over 10,000 women across Africa.
The Absa InspireMe Conference is part of Absa Bank’s women in business initiative, launched in 2021. This annual conference facilitates market linkages, business-to-business networking, and mentorship for women entrepreneurs. This year’s theme, “Empowering Your Story for Growth,” aligns with Absa’s new brand promise, “Your Story Matters,” emphasizing a customer-centric approach.
During the launch event at Absa Headquarters, Elizabeth Wasunna, Absa Bank Business Banking Director, stated, “We are thrilled to once again host the conference in Nairobi.
Our mission is to create a platform for prominent African women in business to share ideas, empower each other, and discuss emerging trends and skills to transform their institutions and achieve growth.”
The 2024 Absa InspireMe Conference is proud to partner with the International Trade Centre SheTrades Kenya Hub.
In addition to knowledge-sharing and inspirational sessions, the event will feature an exhibition of products and services, industry-specific trade visits, and a delegation from the United Kingdom aimed at connecting women entrepreneurs to UK buyers and expanding economic opportunities for women-led businesses across the continent.
This year’s conference will include women entrepreneurs from Absa participating countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Mauritius, and Uganda, as well as SheTrades Hub countries in Africa, such as Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana, The Gambia, and Nigeria.
Concurrent with the Absa InspireMe Conference, and as part of the Kenya—UK Trade Mission, selected women-led businesses in the agrifood, textiles and apparel, handicrafts, and accessories sectors will participate in one-to-one business meetings with potential buyers from the UK and African corporations.
Representatives from SheTrades Hubs will explore collaboration opportunities with delegates from the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chamber International, and the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as export opportunities through the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
Phyllis Mwangi, SheTrades Hub Regional Coordinator for East and South, stated, “The African market represents a 1.4 billion market opportunity for Kenyan SMEs.
This conference will bring 11 UK buyers and 20 large corporations from SheTrades Hubs countries to explore new opportunities with women entrepreneurs.”
The InspireMe Conference will feature successful entrepreneurs, government representatives, regulators, and Absa senior executives and managing directors from Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and other key stakeholders, including the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.
The event will include various panel discussions on topics related to the main theme, “Empowering Your Story for Growth.”
Notable participants include Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry Rebecca Miano; the President’s Advisor on Women’s Rights Hon. Harriette Chiggai; KAM CEO Anthony Mwangi; Visa Country Lead Eva Ngigi; Catherine Muraga, MD of Microsoft Africa Development; and Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority.
Other official partners for the conference include Finance in Motion, Africa Guarantee Fund, and APA Insurance. Over the past three years, the conference has united over 8,000 women across Africa, providing opportunities to learn from mission-driven women business leaders in Ghana, Zambia, Uganda, and Kenya.
