Through the Foundation’s business skills app HerVenture and its intensive, online 7-week investment readiness training programme Road to Growth, the partners aim to help women grow their business and protect them from the ongoing pandemic. According to Emily Scott, Director of Programmes, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, “Sub-Saharan African economies lose nearly $100 billion a year because of the gender gap in the labour market and the current COVID-19 crisis is exacerbating many existing inequalities the women entrepreneurs we work with already face. However, by working with businesses like DHL to support women entrepreneurs in response to this pandemic, we can take this as an opportunity to rebuild economies in a way that not only provides essential financial stability but takes us closer to the goal of equal economic participation between women and men. Following our pilot’s impact in Kenya last year, we can’t wait to scale up our support to reach many more women entrepreneurs.” After a pilot that saw over 1250 women reached by the app, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and DHL have partnered with Sinapis to actively promote HerVenture to more women across the country with a target of at least 3,500 new users. HerVenture and Road to Growth apps are currently available in Kenya, Nigeria, Indonesia and Vietnam provide users with business skills, financial literacy, networks and confidence via online learning and coaching. Road to Growth has already benefited women in Nigeria, Mexico, Indonesia and Vietnam. The Foundation is working to scale further across sub-Saharan Africa. HerVenture will be launching in South Africa for the first time later this year and targets to reach at least 1,600 South African woman entrepreneurs using it to grow their businesses, the app spells great things for economies across Africa. The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, DHL and Sinapis came together to provide through HerVenture and Road to Growth the support needed for women in Kenya to not only protect their micro, small and medium-sized enterprises but to transform them into thriving and sustainable businesses. “Sinapis is thrilled to work with DHL and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women to empower women entrepreneurs across Kenya with practical, accessible content to help them grow existing businesses and launch new ventures. Small and growing businesses represent 80% of Kenya’s workforce and the backbone of its economy,” said Sylvie Somerville, Director of Training & Global Partnerships, Sinapis Group. Sinapis adds that over the 10 years of working in Kenya, it has witnessed how training business essentials closes a critical gap in moving these businesses out of survival mode to growth. “We are eager to be part of an important solution for building the knowledge and confidence of women entrepreneurs, giving them the tools and networks, they need to succeed as we move out of a tough year,” Somerville added.
