The International Trade Centre (ITC), through its SheTrades Initiative, has concluded a two-day capacity-building workshop in Nairobi, held in partnership with Visa and Absa Bank.
The workshop aimed to bolster the digital, financial and entrepreneurial skills of women- and youth-led Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) across Kenya.
This Nairobi session marks the latest milestone in the SheTrades x Visa regional programme, an initiative designed to empower entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan Africa through a blended learning model that integrates in-person training with online modules. It follows the successful launch of the programme in South Africa earlier this year.
Participants received training in several high-demand areas, including:
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business: Safaricom delivered tailored lessons on the practical use of AI, digital tools, automation and productivity-enhancing solutions for MSMEs.
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Digital Payments and Financial Literacy
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Export Readiness and General Entrepreneurship Skills
“This programme reinforces our commitment to equipping women and youth entrepreneurs with the tools, networks and knowledge they need to thrive in today’s digital economy,” said Judith Fessehaie, Head of the SheTrades Initiative at ITC. “We are pleased to bring this initiative to Kenya in collaboration with Visa and Absa Bank and to continue supporting entrepreneurs through practical, accessible learning opportunities.”
The collaboration builds on Visa’s She’s Next initiative, which champions financial and digital inclusion for women entrepreneurs across Africa. By linking participants to both the She’s Next community and the SheTrades network, the programme ensures sustained support beyond the two-day training.
John Njoroge, Country Manager for Visa Kenya, highlighted the value of the partnership: “At Visa, we believe that inclusive economies are stronger economies. Through this collaboration with ITC SheTrades and Absa Bank, we are helping women and youth entrepreneurs access digital tools, financial knowledge and new market opportunities to strengthen and scale their businesses. We look forward to continued engagement with the entrepreneurs who joined us in Nairobi.”
The programme will continue to assist participants through follow-up coaching, access to digital learning materials, and additional opportunities within the wider SheTrades community. Entrepreneurs across Kenya are encouraged to remain involved and take advantage of the growing network and resources offered through the SheTrades x Visa regional initiative.