NBK LAUNCHES ‘NIA’ TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN BUSINESS

NBK has launched a new initiative that is   aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in the country. Dubbed ‘Nia’,  the initiative seeks to provide women owned and  led enterprises with access to financial support, capacity building, as well as   mentorship.  The goal is   to enable them sustainability grow their businesses and achieve their full potential , while  creating new job opportunities and scaling the national economic contribution.

The NBK women in business value proposition is a strategic move by the bank to support women-led businesses in the country, even as it recognizes the critical role that they  play in driving economic growth and development.

Accelerated access

Through the Nia offering, women enterprises will have accelerated access to financing from the Kshs.5 billion  NBK Majikonnect programme supporting water, sanitation and hygiene. The programme has an  African Guarantee Fund collateral cover for up to 75%. Women enterprises  will also be able to access  Kshs2 billion  NBK Elimukonnect programme,  which  supports  the  education sector and schools.

The Nia offering will provide a range of financial solutions, including business loans, asset financing  and overdraft facilities, to help women entrepreneurs meet their business needs. The programme will also offer technical assistance to help them develop their business plans, improve their financial management skills  and enhance their marketing and branding strategies.

Commitment

Speaking during the launch, NBK Managing Director George Odhiambo said the lender is committed to supporting women-led businesses and empowering women entrepreneurs in the country. “We are excited to launch Nia, which is part of our commitment to supporting women-led businesses in Kenya. We recognize that women entrepreneurs face unique challenges in accessing finance and growing their businesses. Our goal is to offer them the support they need to overcome these obstacles and achieve their full potential. By providing women entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed, we hope to create a more vibrant and prosperous economy for all,” said Mr. Odhiambo.

To ensure the success of Nia, the bank will also offer mentorship to women entrepreneurs. As part of the Nia offering, the bank has also launched “You’ve Got business”, a digital property show  connecting upcoming female entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders who will offer guidance and advice on how to grow their businesses and overcome any challenges they may face.

The Nia offering is open to all women entrepreneurs in Kenya, regardless of their sector or industry and will be available at every stage of development. NBK  has a long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.  The launch of its women proposition products and services is the latest step in its efforts to support underrepresented groups in the business community.