Access Bank Kenya and the National Bank of Kenya have officially launched a fresh empowerment programme aimed at boosting Access Bank Kenya women-backed businesses with greater access to finance and growth opportunities.
The new initiative, known as the W Initiative, brings together the strengths of Access Bank Kenya and NBK both subsidiaries of Access Bank PLC to deepen financial inclusion and open new doors for thousands of women entrepreneurs across the country.
How the W Initiative Supports Access Bank Kenya Women-Backed Businesses
Backed by Access Bank’s expansive Africa-wide footprint, the W Initiative is designed to unlock opportunities, widen access to funding, and accelerate the success of Access Bank Kenya women-backed businesses.
So far, the programme has already issued USD 141 million to women across Access Bank PLC’s network, highlighting its scale and impact.
In Kenya, the initiative consolidates NBK’s women-focused programmes NIA (conventional banking) and Almasi Lady (Shariah-compliant banking) into one inclusive ecosystem aimed at uplifting Access Bank Kenya women-backed businesses at different stages of growth.
Board Chair for National Bank of Kenya and Access Bank Kenya, Barbara Barungi, said the launch reflects a broader commitment to supporting equitable economic transformation.
“The W Initiative is not just another banking product it is an intentional ecosystem built around the realities and ambitions of Kenyan women. When women rise, communities rise, and tonight marks the start of many powerful stories yet to be written.”
What’s in the W Suite?
The W Initiative brings together a wide range of tailored solutions crafted to boost Access Bank Kenya women-backed businesses, including:
- W Cards
- W Insurance
- W Loans and Trade Facilities
- Strategic partnerships to derisk women-owned SMEs
- Non-financial support such as training, exposure trips, market linkages, and networking opportunities
All these services are delivered through a personalized customer experience that recognizes the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face.
National Bank of Kenya Managing Director George Odhiambo reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting SMEs and emphasized the value of investments targeted at women.
“Women entrepreneurs are a vital force in Kenya’s economy. Through this joint proposition, we are breaking barriers and giving women the tools they need to turn ambition into measurable growth.”
Why the W Initiative Matters
Despite the impressive rise of women-led enterprises in Africa, major financing gaps remain.
In Kenya:
- Only 7% of women-owned MSMEs can access formal credit
- Women receive just 36% of total MSME lending
- Yet they make up a significant share of the entrepreneurial sector
These disparities highlight the need for solutions that go beyond lending solutions that also break ecosystem barriers that limit Access Bank Kenya women-backed businesses.
The W Initiative answers this need by combining financing, mentorship, networks, and practical business support into one holistic platform. Its rollout in Kenya builds on a proven model implemented across Africa, ensuring that women entrepreneurs receive support tailored to every stage of their journey.
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