The Need for Microfinance in Kenya

Our second program on the African continent is in Kenya. Kenya is situated on the east coast of Africa, between Somalia and Tanzania. It also borders on Uganda and Ethiopia. Kenya is a lower-middle-income economy. Although Kenya’s economy is the largest and most developed in eastern and Central Africa, 63% (2023/2024) of its population lives below the international poverty line.

Gender inequality is also a problem in Kenya. Economic policy holds back women’s economic empowerment. For example, despite 96% of rural women working on farms, only 6% of the women in Kenya hold title to land.

Making Loans in Embu and Nanyuki

The communities of Embu and Nanyuki are small, rural and perfect for piloting a microfinance program in Kenya. Embu and Nanyuki, located in the Mt. Kenya region, are about 100 miles from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Both communities rely on agriculture, with the majority of the population engaged in both subsistence and cash crop farming. The cash crops include coffee, tea, miraa and macadamia nuts. Related businesses include vending milk, vegetables, prepared food, farm inputs (fertilizers and seeds) and farm equipment.

Meet Our Partner TENAKATA

WorldWise Microfinance is excited to work with TENAKATA, an organization created to support economic development in rural Kenya. Tenakata’s mission is to empower small business owners by providing them with a mobile-based financial technology platform to improve their financial record-keeping, develop financial literacy through coaching, and facilitate access to loans. The company’s goal is to support financial inclusion for female borrowers by helping them build strong, credit-ready profiles.

The first loans in these communities were made in 2024, and the program continues to grow.

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Our partnership with WorldWise Microfinance is a pivotal step in our mission to empower women-led businesses in rural Kenya. Together, we are not just offering loans; we are creating opportunities for these women to build thriving businesses that will uplift their communities.

—Sebie Salim • CEO, Tenakata

Support our Kenya program

The success of the Kenya program depends on building a strong foundation in order to expand and lift up individuals and communities for the future. Please consider supporting this program by donating to WorldWise Microfinance today.

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