Absa Bank Kenya has entered into a strategic partnership with Women’s World Banking (WWB) to enhance financial inclusion and drive the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs across the country.
Announced during the Women’s World Banking partners breakfast in Nairobi, the collaboration will strengthen Absa’s Women in Business (WIB) program by integrating WWB’s global expertise in women-focused financial services. The goal is to deliver innovative financial and non-financial solutions tailored to the needs of female entrepreneurs, especially those operating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa, Director of Business Banking at Absa Bank Kenya, said the partnership marks a significant step in the bank’s commitment to inclusive finance.
“This collaboration combines Absa’s deep local knowledge with Women’s World Banking’s international expertise to empower women entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and funding they need to build sustainable businesses,” she said. “We’ve long supported women-led SMEs, and this partnership reinforces our role as a leader in inclusive banking.”
Since launching its “Absa SHE” initiative, the bank says it has supported over one million women entrepreneurs in Kenya through a mix of financial products and capacity-building programs.
Under the newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU), Absa and WWB will roll out several joint projects, each defined by a Statement of Work (SOW). The first initiative will target women in agribusiness—a sector critical to Kenya’s economy but historically underfunded, especially for women in underserved areas.
Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, emphasized the importance of the collaboration in addressing financial inequality.
“We’re excited to partner with Absa Bank to expand access to finance and business development for women,” she said. “This initiative supports women entrepreneurs at all stages and will help unlock opportunities, particularly in agriculture, to build lasting economic resilience and growth.”
The partnership is part of a broader industry shift toward gender-responsive banking, with the Absa-WWB alliance aiming to break down systemic barriers and deliver long-term, sustainable support for women-led businesses.
