The US Embassy in Kenya and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on October 5, funding of $ 3 million for women entrepreneurs. Partnerships with the private sector were also announced on training, access to digital technology and professional equality between men and women.
In total, the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative initiated by President Donald Trump in 2019 will mobilize $ 30 million through its new Investing in Kenyan Women program, over the next 3 years. This USAID fund is mainly for commercial investments.
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Two other projects were also announced, namely partnerships with the private sector that will work to empower Kenyan women, and a $ 5 million fund supported by Microsoft’s Airband initiative, through the Microsoft Women’s Digital program. Inclusion Partnership. The latter aims to increase internet coverage for women, by investing in women-owned internet technology companies serving rural areas in 5 countries, including Kenya.
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Funding of $ 1.4 million will also be allocated to training women entrepreneurs. This set of mechanisms will help Kenyans start, finance or grow their businesses, build their capacity through training, mentorship, investment and direct connections with small and medium-sized American businesses.
Remember that the W-GDP program targets 50 million women in developing countries by 2025.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer