‘She’s Next’ is what’s next for female entrepreneurs

Visa has launched a new global initiative called ’She’s Next’, to assist women in building, sustaining and growing their small businesses.

It is reported that more than 163 million women across the globe have launched businesses since 2014 outpacing businesses initiated by men.

The head of merchant sales and acquiring in Visa Suzan Kereere said that there is never enough resources or time but when women work together to support one another great things happen.

“Starting and growing a business can be both incredibly rewarding and daunting. That is why Visa is committed to empowering women business owners through a year-long program of education, cutting edge digital payment technology and a powerful peer network,” said Ms Kereere.

The Female Founder Collective (FFC) a network of businesses led by and supporting women launched in 2018 will also support the She’s Next initiative.

FFC and Visa together will offer an unmatched resources and opportunities for female entrepreneurs from streamlining payments methods to linking women small business owners with like minded peers and experts.

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According to Rebecca Minkoff, the founder of FFC and Rebecca Minkoff, joining forces with Visa will help build awareness of women-owned businesses, provide more opportunities and invest in women across the socioeconomic spectrum around the globe.

“As women we have the power to shape and transform our communities through our purchasing power and also through the leadership and employment opportunities we offer as business owners,” said Minkoff.

This comes as BitPesa an enterprise found by Elizabeth Rossiello in Kenya was named as a technology pioneer of 2018 by the World Economic Forum.

BitPesa founded in 2013 moves money directly from one bank account to a foreign bank without conversion process. It also accepts and settles in digital currency Bitcoin.

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Ms Rossiello is among hundreds of women in the country who have ventured into entrepreneurship that has propelled the economy and livelihood of people as business owner.

Notable women entrepreneurs who have been recognized by their businesses and innovation include: Tabitha Karanja, Founder and CEO  Keroche Breweries, Susan Wokabi, Founder and C.E.O Suzie beauty, Flora Mutahi, Founder and C.E.O Melvin’s Tea, Cynthia Nyamai Founder and C.E.O of CN Communications, Catherine Mahugu – Founder, Soko, Gloria Michelle Otieno – Founder, Recours Four Kenya, Chebet Lesan – Founder, BrightGreen Renewable Energy among many others.