Ownership

Echo Network Africa (ENA) formerly Kenya Women Holding (KWH) is a company limited by guarantee. ENA is a woman led, women serving development institution that engages in activities that empower, position and advocate for women, youth and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). 

In 2014 KWFT established a vehicle; KWFT CSOP Trust to enable Customers own shares in Kenya Women Microfinance Bank Limited with the sole objective of appreciating the bank’s customers for their loyalty and support over the years. The Trust has a membership of 60,974 Bank’s customers and holds 25% shares in KWFT. The members of KWFT CSOP Trust hold units. The units are traded on the Over the Counter (OTC) platform by eligible members. Eligible members are KWFT Customers who are in good standing in their membership with Kenya Women Holding.

The Employee’s Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) was established in 2012 as a vehicle to enable employees own shares of KWFT with a view to motivating them and building their loyalty to the Company. ESOP holds 21.51% shares in KWFT, is managed and governed by Trustees in accordance with the Trust Deed and Rules. The employees hold units in the Trust.

Over the years, the value of the units held by employees has appreciated a hundred fold. The employees have also been able to enjoy dividend for two consecutive years.

The Director’s Share Ownership Plan (DSOP) was established in 2013 as a vehicle to facilitate acquisition of shares in KWFT of past and existing directors who had been very instrumental in establishing and building the institution. The trust is managed by Trustees and governed by the DSOP Trust Deed and Rules. DSOP Trust holds 3.19% shares in KWFT.

Incofin Investment Management (INCOFIN) 

The Rural Impulse Fund II (RIF II)
Rural Impulse Fund II (RIFII) focuses on rural and agricultural microfinance, thereby serving a niche that is less served by the mainstream microfinance investment funds, which target mainly the urban and peri-urban microfinance institutions. The motivation of RIF II in investing in rural and agricultural microfinance is the poor, a majority of whom leave in rural economies.

The RIF II investment fund is managed by Incofin Investment Management (“Incofin IM”). Incofin IM is an investment manager specialized in investing in financial institutions that focus on financial inclusion and microfinance. Incofin IM currently has USD 700 Million funds under management, split over various funds and facilities.

The shareholders of RIF II include but are not limited to IFC, EIB and KfW.

For more information log on to: www.incofin.com

Nordic Microfinance Initiative (NMI) 

The Nordic Microfinance Initiative (“NMI”) was established in 2008 as a cooperation between the public authorities and private investors in Norway. The Mission of NMI is to contribute to the empowerment of poor people and to the creation of jobs, wealth and economic social sustainability in developing countries by investing in and supporting Microfinance Institutions. NMI also seeks to build institutional and human capacity in young and emerging MFIs in which the NMI Funds invest.

NMI follows a long term development approach with its investments and seeks to balance a positive social and economic impact with a sound financial return. NMI has invested in KWFT through two funds namely NMI Fund III and NMI Frontier Fund.

The shareholders of NMI Fund III and NMI Frontier Fund include Norfund, Ferd AS, DNB Livsforsikring ASA, Storebrand Livsforsikring AS and KLP.

For more information log on to: www.nmimicro.no