Her Initiative secures funding to empower more East African women toward financial resilience

Founded in 2019, Her Initiative is youth-first and women-led, aiming to equip young women with education, skills, and resources necessary for economic participation.

They employ innovative approaches such as the Panda Digital platform, which delivers educational courses via SMS to overcome digital barriers among young women with limited internet access. Additionally, their Digimali project supports young entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses online.

The King Baudouin Foundation's award includes €200,000 (approximately 560 million Tanzanian shillings or Ksh.24 million Kenya shillings) in funding, along with access to a network of international development professionals and organizations. This support will enable Her Initiative to expand its programs significantly, with a goal to reach an additional 100,000 women across East Africa over the next five years.

Lydia Charles Moyo, the Founder and Executive Director of Her Initiative, emphasizes the organization's origins in personal experiences of overcoming barriers like gender-based violence and lack of educational opportunities.

“We already support young women to build their financial resilience in six Tanzanian regions, but with the KBF Africa Prize we will be able to scale our work to help so many more women to achieve their dreams in Tanzania and beyond,” she said.

The KBF Africa Prize selection committee, impressed by Her Initiative's holistic approach and strategic use of technology and partnerships, highlighted its potential for further impact and recognition on a global scale.

“Coupled with its innovative use of modern technologies and strategic local partnerships, Her Initiative is a highly deserving recipient of this year’s KBF Africa Prize. We look forward to seeing what the team achieves in the years to come,” said Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, Chair of the KBF Africa Prize Selection Committee 2023-2024.

Previous recipients of the KBF Africa Prize, such as Dr. Denis Mukwege and the Grameen Bank, have gone on to receive international accolades like the Nobel Peace Prize, underscoring the transformative potential of this award.