Participants were drawn from over 2,300 women owned SMEs across the country
Highlights
- The overall winner, Busu Naturals, an SME that manufactures local emollients took home Kshs.2.5 million
- The other finalists were: Timao Group, Code with Kids, Crafts with Meaning and Cladfy
Despite facing numerous challenges – like inability to access capital and markets – many women are today excelling in entrepreneurship. Audacious, resilient and passionate, these women are trailblazers in various business fields including : manufacturing, information and communication technology ( ICT) as well as fashion and beauty. Against this background, ‘She’s Next Kenya’ competition organized by Visa was successfully concluded today. More than 2,300 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from across the country applied for this competition. Each had an innovative solution in its respective sector.
Funding, training and mentorship
The aim of this programme is to support the creation of an inclusive, equitable world where women business owners can flourish. In that regard, it supports women-owned SMEs through funding, training and mentorship.
Busu Naturals, an SME that manufactures local emollients, catering to sensitive African skin, emerged the overall winner of this initiative. To that end, it received a monetary prize of Kshs. 2.5 million. Timao Group and Code with Kids won Kshs. 2 million and 1 million respectively, for the second and third positions. “We are delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural She’s Next Kenya grant competition. We are proud to recognise these SMEs who have exhibited remarkable innovation, resilience and vision, which will serve them well in as they seek to positively contribute to the Kenyan economy. We are excited about walking this journey with them to see them hit new heights using the skills and strategies the She’s Next programme will equip them with,” said Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Visa Kenya country manager.

Left to Right, Hon Harriette Chiggai, President’s Advisor on Women Rights, Executive Office of the President, Kenya, Emma Omany, CEO of Busu Naturals, (overall winner of the She’s Next Kenya competition), Chad Pollock, Visa East Africa Vice President and GM, Eva Ngigi, Visa Kenya county manager pose for a photo with a dummy cheque worth KES 2.5 million during the She’s Next Kenya competition held at Hyatt Regency.
Celebrating her victory, Emma Omany, the chief executive officer of Busu Naturals said : “This win means a lot to us because it gives us confidence and affirms that we are on the right track. It is a testament to the fact that small steps matter and that everything we have done thus far is aiding our mission. The support we will get through this grant and training will help us grow our capacity and expand our market reach. It shall also go a long way in generating impact for us since we are focused on creating more opportunities for the women and youth in our value chain”.
The other two finalists – Crafts with Meaning and Cladfy – each walked away with Kshs. 500,000 as recognition of their participation in the competition.