Access Bank Kenya and the National Bank of Kenya have introduced a new programme aimed at strengthening women-led and women-backed businesses across the country.
The initiative, known as the W Initiative, is expected to widen access to funding and give women entrepreneurs stronger support as they grow their ventures.
The launch comes at a time when women continue to face major challenges in accessing formal financing. Studies show that only a small fraction of women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises in Kenya qualify for formal credit.
Women-led businesses also receive less than half of the lending directed to MSMEs, despite their growing presence in the sector.
The W Initiative brings together existing women-focused programmes at NBK into one platform. It merges NIA, which targets women in conventional banking, and Almasi Lady, which caters to women seeking Shariah-compliant solutions.
By combining the two, Access Bank aims to create a more inclusive environment that meets the needs of women from different backgrounds and business models.
During the launch, National Bank of Kenya and Access Bank Kenya Board Chair Barbara Barungi said the programme is designed to reflect the ambitions and everyday realities of Kenyan women.
She said the bank wanted to create a solution that goes beyond financial access and supports women as they build long-term enterprises.
“The W Initiative is not just another product. It is a comprehensive ecosystem intentionally built around the realities, ambitions and economic potential of Kenyan women. When women rise, communities rise,” Barungi said.
The initiative offers a wide range of financial and non-financial services. Women entrepreneurs will have access to specialised banking products such as W Cards, W Insurance and targeted loan and trade facilities.
The banks have also partnered with various organisations to help reduce risks for women-owned SMEs, making it easier for them to scale.
Beyond lending, the programme includes training opportunities, exposure trips, coaching, market linkages and networking forums.
These additions are meant to equip women with knowledge, connections and tools that can turn their businesses into competitive ventures.
National Bank of Kenya Managing Director George Odhiambo said empowering women is essential to strengthening the wider economy.
He noted that many women continue to face barriers that limit their ability to grow, even when they have strong ideas and viable enterprises.
“Women entrepreneurs are a vital force within Kenya’s economy. By jointly deploying this proposition, we are signalling our commitment to dismantling barriers and equipping women with tools that translate ambition into measurable growth,” Odhiambo said.
Across the Access Bank PLC network, the W Initiative has already disbursed 141 million dollars to women. The rollout in Kenya builds on that progress, intending to create a solid space where women can thrive at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
Access Bank hopes the initiative will help close long-standing gaps in financing and support more women as they pursue opportunities in different sectors.
By bringing banking solutions, mentorship and community support under one umbrella, the bank says it wants to give Kenyan women a stronger platform to succeed.
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