Stanbic Kenya Foundation, in partnership with the German development agency GIZ, celebrated the graduation of 351 entrepreneurs from the Women Employment for the Green Transformation (WE4D) programme.

The graduating cohort represents ten western counties – Kisumu, Kericho, Kisii, Nyamira, Homa Bay, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega and Vihiga – reflecting the programme’s regional focus.

Across Kenya, the WE4D initiative has reached 706 business owners and supports 2,378 jobs, including 1,591 young workers and 32 persons with disabilities.

Agriculture and agro‑processing formed the largest sector among the graduating enterprises, alongside ventures in aquaculture, circular‑economy projects, manufacturing, sustainable tourism and natural health solutions.

Michael Mutiga, chief executive of Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan, said the programme demonstrates how entrepreneurship can become a practical engine for sustainable development.

Mercy Githanji, executive director of Stanbic Foundation, said the next focus is helping SMEs access markets, financing, technical expertise and growth opportunities through partnerships with county governments and Stanbic Bank teams.

The programme is commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co‑funded by the European Union and the Norwegian Government, aiming to build greener, more inclusive small and medium‑sized enterprises.

WE4D combines capacity‑building, formal finance access, market linkages and support for green‑job creation to move enterprises from survival to sustainable growth, aligning with national priorities on MSME competitiveness and climate resilience.

Graduates reported stronger business formalisation, improved record‑keeping, governance and compliance, as well as new customers, supply contracts and export opportunities.

Several enterprises have expanded operations and created additional jobs, while others have introduced innovations in waste valorisation, climate‑smart agriculture and sustainable tourism.