Commonwealth Business Women Network-Kenya Chapter launched

Kenya has welcomed the launch of Commonwealth Business Women Network (Kenya Chapter) which brings together business women from over 54 countries who are members of Commonwealth.

Speaking at the launch event in Nairobi on Tuesday, CBW-Kenya Director Dr. Josephine Ojiambo said, Kenyan business women will benefit immensely from a wider market offered by Commonwealth Networks.

“It is what is called the Commonwealth Advantage. It is exciting to see CBW Kenya Chapter launched. The network will support women and help them grow their businesses for the country’s prosperity. As well as doing trade within and across borders, the network will give women a voice with policy makers to ensure that women entrepreneurship has a better environment and greater practices,” Dr Ojiambo said.

In addition, Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya, Lisa Stadelbauer said that the Kenyan Chapter will focus on 21 sectors aimed at economically empowering women.

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“We will work with the rest of the Commonwealth countries across the globe with a big focus on tapping into Africa’s vast resource pool. We will create access to information, markets and finance with partnerships across all Commonwealth countries”, Ms Stadelbauer said.

CBW Africa was launched at the end of 2017 across Africa as a strategic regional partner to Commonwealth business women, working towards women economic empowerment and leadership and connecting businesswomen in Africa to the Commonwealth world.

It is the only accredited membership organisation that is recognised by the 54 official Commonwealth governments across the five continents for women economic empowerment.

According to CBW-K Chairperson, Nana Wanjau, the local chapter is obligated to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“Our objective is tocreate a platform to increase visibility of women in business in Kenya by connecting them with potential buyers, investors, suppliers and business organizations across the 53 Commonwealth countries.  Create an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to trade and gain access to broader market opportunities that will connect them directly with potential influencers of women businesses. Empower emerging young talented women and innovators to benefit from CBW Kenya’s strategies of initiating trade networks across the 53 Commonwealth countries, providing training opportunities and recognizing, rewarding and promoting talented women entrepreneurs,” she said.

To get started, CBW-K will host an event on 18th September 2019 in Nairobi, in line with the 12th WAMM theme: ‘From Commitment to Action: Accelerating Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.’ The event will include an exhibition show casing positive contributions in women empowerment programs within the CBW – K network.

Other countries that have launched the Commonwealth Business Women Network in Africa include South Africa and Malawi.