Absa Bank Kenya, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), SheTrades Kenya Hub, is set to host the largest gathering of women entrepreneurs in Africa. The Absa InspireMe Conference 2024 aims to unite over 10,000 women entrepreneurs from across the continent.
The InspireMe Conference is part of Absa Bank’s Women in Business initiative, launched in 2021. This annual event facilitates market linkages, business-to-business networking, and mentorship for women entrepreneurs. This year’s theme, “Empowering Your Story for Growth,” aligns with Absa’s new brand promise, “Your Story Matters,” which focuses on customer-centric business practices.
Elizabeth Wasunna, Absa Bank’s Business Banking Director, expressed her excitement at the launch event at Absa Headquarters. “We are thrilled to once again be hosting the conference in Nairobi. Our mission is to create a platform that brings together prominent African women in business and entrepreneurs to share ideas, empower one another, and discuss emerging trends and skills necessary to transform their institutions and propel them to various levels of growth,” she said.
The conference is proud to partner with the International Trade Centre SheTrades Kenya Hub. In addition to knowledge-sharing and inspirational sessions led by global and local business leaders, the event will feature an exhibition of products and services and industry-specific trade visits. A delegation from the United Kingdom will also be present to connect women entrepreneurs with UK buyers, fostering new business linkages and expanding economic opportunities for women-led businesses across Africa.
Participants include women entrepreneurs from Absa’s operating countries, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Mauritius, and Uganda, and SheTrades Hub countries in Africa, including Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana, The Gambia, and Nigeria.
Alongside the InspireMe Conference, select women-led businesses from sectors such as agrifood, textiles and apparel, handicrafts, and accessories will meet with potential UK buyers and African corporations. Representatives from SheTrades Hubs will explore collaboration opportunities with UK delegates from the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chamber International, and West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and discuss export opportunities through the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
Phyllis Mwangi, SheTrades Hub Regional Coordinator for East and South, highlighted the potential of the African market. “The African market represents a 1.4 billion market opportunity for Kenyan SMEs to conduct business with the African continent. This conference will bring 11 UK buyers and 20 large corporations from the SheTrades Hubs countries to explore new opportunities with the women entrepreneurs at the conference,” she said.
The conference will feature a prestigious lineup of successful entrepreneurs, government representatives, regulators, Absa senior executives, and managing directors from Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and other key stakeholders, including the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. Various panel discussions will cover topics aligned with the theme of “Empowering Your Story for Growth.”
Notable personalities attending the conference include Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry Rebecca Miano, President’s Advisor on Women Rights Hon. Harriette Chiggai, Kenya Association of Manufacturers CEO Mr. Anthony Mwangi, Visa Country Lead Eva Ngigi, Catherine Muraga – MD Microsoft Africa Development, and Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority.
Official partners for the conference include Finance in Motion, Africa Guarantee Fund, and APA Insurance. Over the past three years, the conference has united over 8,000 women across Africa, allowing them to learn from mission-driven women business leaders in Ghana, Zambia, Uganda, and Kenya.
Registration is available for those interested in attending virtually through this link: InspireMe Conference Registration.
