25 Kenyan women, youth entrepreneurs honoured at Biashara Pawa Awards

Held under the theme "Celebrating Entrepreneurship in Underrepresented Sectors," the awards brought together entrepreneurs, county leaders, development partners, investors, ecosystem builders and the media to celebrate businesses delivering measurable economic and social impact.

The ceremony marked the culmination of the Biashara Pawa initiative, a flagship entrepreneurship visibility programme implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation under the IYBA-SEED Programme, part of the Team Europe Initiative funded by the European Union alongside the French, German and Slovak governments.

While 25 entrepreneurs were recognised as Biashara Pawa role models, the event culminated in the announcement of the programme's Top Four Winners, selected through an independent judging process based on leadership, business growth, innovation, ecosystem engagement, community impact and future potential.

"The entrepreneurs we are celebrating are proving that innovation is not limited by geography, gender or sector," said Nduta Ndirangu, Project Manager at SNV.

"Across Kenya, we are seeing women and young people building businesses that create employment, strengthen communities and solve pressing development challenges. Biashara Pawa exists to ensure these entrepreneurs receive not only recognition, but also the visibility, networks and support they need to scale their impact."

This year's winners reflected the diversity and untapped potential of sectors that are often overlooked despite their contribution to economic growth.

Among those recognised was Serah Ndungu, winner in the Financial Services category, whose initiative has empowered more than 520 women creatives in Nakuru County by linking them to financial institutions and skills development programmes. The programme has enabled participating women to build sustainable businesses and earn an average monthly income of at least KSh16,000.

In the Manufacturing and Engineering category, Nancy Matheri was honoured for developing an innovative metal composite water filter made from recycled waste materials that removes fluoride from drinking water without altering its taste, offering a solution to both environmental and public health challenges.

Also recognised in the category was Karen Mwangi, whose enterprise manufactures premium leather products—including belts, wallets and handbags—from locally sourced Kenyan leather, promoting value addition and supporting the country's leather manufacturing industry.

The Blue Economy Award went to Sila Ooko, Chairman of the Juafarm Umoja Youth Group, for pioneering hydroponics and aquaponics technologies that have earned international recognition, including support through the European Union-funded INCiTiS Open Call Grant, demonstrating the potential of climate-smart agriculture to create employment opportunities for young people.

Speaking during the event, Susan Njoroge, Managing Director of Responsible Business Consulting (RBC), said the initiative is helping redefine perceptions about entrepreneurship.

"Many of the sectors being celebrated have historically seen limited participation by women and young people. Through Biashara Pawa, we are amplifying the stories of entrepreneurs who are changing that narrative while inspiring others to pursue opportunities in manufacturing, technology, agriculture, financial services, the blue economy, green enterprise and WASH," she said.

Over the past year, Biashara Pawa has strengthened entrepreneurial ecosystems across Nakuru, Kisumu and Uasin Gishu counties through mentorship, networking, public storytelling, dialogue forums and media campaigns aimed at increasing the visibility of women-led enterprises and encouraging greater participation in underrepresented sectors.

The programme is delivered through local ecosystem support organisations, including NakuruBox, WiseHub and EldoHub, in partnership with Responsible Business Consulting (RBC) and Kaizen Consultancy, connecting entrepreneurs to markets, mentors and business development opportunities.

For George Wayne, Founder and CEO of NakuruBox, the awards represented more than recognition.

"Behind every entrepreneur we are celebrating is a story of resilience, determination and innovation. These awards acknowledge the incredible work already being done while strengthening the ecosystem that allows entrepreneurs to grow, collaborate and inspire others. Today's role models are tomorrow's mentors, employers and industry leaders," he said.