By C, KNA
Equity Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment through the Fanikisha Programme, as 74 women graduated from a business and financial literacy training initiative in Kwale County.
The event, which drew over 260 participants, was graced by Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, who lauded the partnership between the county government and Equity Bank, describing it as instrumental in uplifting women and strengthening household incomes.
“Empowering women requires deliberate strategies that go beyond access to credit. We must equip them with business knowledge, skills and mentorship so they can sustainably grow their enterprises,” said Achani.
The governor noted that Equity Bank has been a key partner to the county government including supporting education through scholarships, facilitating county payments such as the Basari programme and offering tailored financial products that respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs.
“Equity Bank has walked closely with Kwale County. From education scholarships to supporting our county programmes, this partnership continues to transform lives,” she added.
Moses Nyabanda, Managing Director Equity Bank Kenya said the relaunch of the Fanikisha Programme in Kwale marks a renewed focus on empowering women-led enterprises, with the county serving as a model for similar initiatives across the country.
“Nearly 60 per cent of our customers are women. Our goal is to uplift communities by ensuring women have access to affordable credit, business training and digital financial solutions,” said Nyabanda.
The bank revealed that the revamped Fanikisha Programme, relaunched in January, provides women entrepreneurs with tailored loans, business education and access to digital banking platforms that allow them to transact and access credit remotely.
Beneficiaries shared testimonies of transformation, attributing their business growth to Equity Bank’s support.
One beneficiary, Anastasia Mghoi, a tailor from Mombasa, recounted how she started with manual sewing before accessing her first loan.
“I began by sewing with my hands and an order would take me several days to complete. Through an Equity loan, I bought my first sewing machine even before I knew how to use it. Today, we operate a fully mechanized tailoring shop using computerized machines,” she said.
Mghoi encouraged women entrepreneurs to approach financial institutions with confidence and clear business plans, noting that Equity Bank’s ecosystem model has enabled wholesalers and suppliers to grow together.
Another beneficiary from Ukunda, Beth Wanjiru said Equity Bank gave her a lifeline after she lost her job in the hospitality sector.
“When I left my job without pay, Equity officers welcomed me and offered a Sh50,000 loan to help me start a business. Other banks discouraged me, but Equity felt like home,” she said.
The Fanikisha Programme focuses on equipping women with financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills and access to credit, enabling them to grow sustainable enterprises and contribute to local economic development.
Both the Kwale county government and Equity Bank reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership to reach more women, positioning Kwale as a benchmark for women-led economic empowerment in Kenya.