Category Archives: News

On 5^th-7^th September KWFT in partnership with the Association of Microfinance Institutions (AMFI) and German Sparkassenstiftung Kenya (DSIK), recently delivered a savings-centered financial literacy training to women entrepreneurs in Webuye. This training, aimed at KWFT customers, is part of an ongoing initiative to equip small and micro business owners with essential financial management skills, helping them grow their businesses sustainably.

For KWFT customers, this training plays a pivotal role in enhancing their financial literacy, empowering them to make informed decisions about their businesses. The training addressed common financial pitfalls such as failure to plan, impulse buying, lack of proper record-keeping, failure to budget, and neglecting to save for future use—all of which can hinder business growth and lead to financial instability.

The training also encompassed the importance of budgeting as a tool to manage and prioritize business needs and the importance of cultivating a savings culture to protect their businesses during unforeseen financial challenges. Effective financial planning, as emphasized in the training, ensures the long-term sustainability and expansion of their enterprises.

The training reinforces KWFT’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs with practical tools to overcome financial challenges, increasing their confidence in taking on financial services to support business growth and expansion. By supporting them with continuous knowledge and skills, KWFT is fostering the growth of resilient businesses that can thrive in changing economic conditions.

On August 28, 2024, KWFT hosted guests from UNGC-Kenya, Ms. Judy Njino, Executive Director and Ms. Lorraine Kithinji- Project Coordinator, for a courtesy visit to the Ag Managing Director KWFT, Mr. Kariuki Kitabu alongside KWFT’s senior management team. This visit was instrumental in reinforcing KWFT’s dedication to sustainability and responsible business practices within Kenya’s financial sector.

The United Nations Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative that calls upon businesses worldwide to align their operations with its Ten Principles, focusing on human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption. KWFT was the first microfinance institution in Kenya to join the Global Compact, underscoring its dedication to sustainable development.

This partnership highlights the importance of businesses to align business strategies with global sustainability goals which not only benefits the environment and society but also strengthens the long-term success and resilience of businesses paving the way for a brighter future for everyone.

KWFT has partnered with the Association of Microfinance Institutions (AMFI) and German Sparkassenstiftung Kenya (DSIK) to deliver vital financial literacy training to women who run small and micro enterprises. This initiative aims to equip business women with essential skills to grow their businesses sustainably. The first phase of the training program has successfully been completed in Kakamega and Vihiga.

The training is vested on the following:

Savings: Focused on building financial literacy by emphasizing the importance of financial planning, effective budgeting, and cultivating a strong savings culture.

Micro Business Training: To provide hands-on experience in decision-making, financial management, and strategic planning, all aimed at helping entrepreneurs sustainably grow their businesses.

Farmers Training: Offering insights into sustainable farming practices and market dynamics, empowering farmers to overcome challenges and thrive within the agricultural sector.

This training initiative is a significant step toward enhancing savings mobilization, enterprise financing, and smart agribusiness within KWFT. By equipping women with these crucial skills, KWFT, AMFI and DSIK are fostering a new generation of empowered entrepreneurs capable of driving economic growth in their communities.

As this program moves forward, the next phases of the training are scheduled to take place in Webuye, Bungoma, Kitale, Eldoret and Mombasa, ensuring more women entrepreneurs benefit from this invaluable opportunity.

On June 20, 2024, KWFT hosted a delegation from Central Africa Building Society (CABS), the 3rd largest bank in Zimbabwe, for a peer-to-peer learning visit. This visit was organized by SME Support Centre to facilitate knowledge sharing and to enable the CABS Management Team to learn from KWFT’s best and sustainable practices on the agenda of supporting Women owned and led SMEs.

The CABS Team was received by KWFT’s Ag Managing Director Kariuki Kitabu and the Senior Leadership Team who presented an insightful overview of KWFT’s Strategic Direction and business operations, highlighting how the Institution has positioned women as the cornerstone of change in Kenya. The presentation showcased KWFT’s tailored products and services specifically designed for women and their families, emphasizing commitment to gender-focused financial solutions.

KWFT shared insights anchored on the necessity for financial institutions to also incorporate holistic approach of encompassing policies that target the workplace and marketplace, ensuring an inclusive and holistic approach to gender inclusion. This is in alignment with KWFT’s mission and it underscores the Institution’s dedication to fostering an inclusive financial ecosystem.

The platform provided a valuable exchange session, allowing both teams to discuss strategies, share experiences, and explore collaborative opportunities. These interactions underscored the critical role of regional cooperation in achieving inclusive communities and advancing financial inclusion and empowerment initiatives.

On June 12, 2024, the Kenya Women Microfinance Bank (KWFT) hosted a delegation from Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), the Tanzania Mortgage Refinancing Company (TMRC), the National Bank of Commerce – Tanzania, and FINCA Microfinance Bank – Tanzania. Also in attendance was MicroSave Consultancy.

The objective of the visit was to learn from KWFT’s success journey in housing microfinance and integration of gender, technology, green financing, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) principles into its financial products. This visit was key to HFHI’s and TMRC learnings, as they aim to revolutionize housing finance for low-income sectors in Tanzania.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Kariuki Kitabu and senior leadership of KWFT. The visit began with an insightful presentation on how KWFT has successfully tackled housing challenges in Kenya. The presentation highlighted KWFT’s innovative approaches to integrating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Energy principles into their housing microfinance products, ensuring support for low-income households.

The team thereafter embarked on a field trip to Machakos to gain firsthand experience of KWFT’s impactful work where they interacted with beneficiaries of housing microfinance product from KWFT. The interactive sessions offered insights to implement effective and sustainable housing finance solutions.

KWFT’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in microfinance serves as an inspiring model for other institutions aiming to create meaningful change in their communities. KWFT remains dedicated to leading the way in innovative and inclusive microfinance practices.