Uplift 15 Kenyan Women Through Entrepreneurship

“Poverty is not just a lack of money, it is not having the capability to realise one’s full potential.” This insightful quote by Amartya Sen, the 1998 Nobel Prize-winning economist, captures the essence of why the Business for Better Society (BBS) and Activate Action Microbusiness Incubator continues to make an impact in Homa Bay.

To date, this initiative has resulted in 130 women successfully opening their own businesses, alongside the establishment of a women’s group with 45 members who are working collectively to achieve financial independence. These successes highlight the profound and lasting impact the program is having on the local community.

As we move into Q2 of 2025, we are pleased to share an initial update on the sixth intake of the incubator program, marking another milestone in our journey toward economic empowerment for women.

Selection Process for the Sixth Intake

BBS is proud to continue partnering with Activate Action, who will again be the implementation partner. With their deep understanding of the local community and the trust they have built over years of dedicated service, they play a crucial role in the incubator’s ongoing success.

For this intake, the focus remains on identifying young women from low-income backgrounds who are either unemployed or working in the informal sector. Additionally, Activate Action prioritises women affected by HIV, recognising that they often face significant economic barriers. The selection process includes a combination of community outreach, referrals from partner organisations, and direct applications to ensure that those who join are truly committed to becoming entrepreneurs and prepared for the challenges and rewards that come with it.

Most women selected for this cohort come from rural areas, many are single mothers or primary caregivers facing financial instability. They often lack access to formal training, business networks, or capital, making this program a transformative opportunity to develop essential skills, build confidence, and achieve economic independence.

Curriculum and Training Modules

The incubator continues to utilise the highly effective Street Business School curriculum, which has been instrumental in the success of previous cohorts. The core modules will remain the same, ensuring that the fundamental business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills taught align with the needs of the women in the program. The modules covered will include:

1. Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone – Overcoming fear and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset.
2. Business Opportunity Identification & Market Research – Understanding viable business opportunities and conducting market research.
3. Finding Capital & Starting Small – Exploring different ways to access startup capital and beginning with a manageable business model.
4. Bookkeeping – Learning basic financial management and record-keeping skills.
5. Business Planning – Developing a structured business plan to guide their ventures.
6. Money Management – Understanding cash flow, budgeting, and financial sustainability.

Looking Ahead

We are excited to welcome the next 15 women into the incubator and witness their growth as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. Their resilience, creativity, and determination continue to inspire us, and we look forward to sharing their progress with all of you who have supported this initiative.

Your generosity enables us to empower more women, transform more lives, and create lasting economic change in Homa Bay.

Thank you again!