Investing in Women in the Blue Economy in Kenya

This project aims to advance women’s economic empowerment in the blue economy in Kenya. The project does this by attracting financing and growing more women and young women-owned micro small and/or medium enterprises in non-traditional market segments including those related to conserving and sustainably using coastal and lake biodiversity. Project activities include: (1) improving enabling environments and reducing systemic discriminatory barriers at the policy and community levels to increase women’s control and access to productive assets markets and capital and to ensure sustainable practices that protect biodiversity; (2) engaging with women’s rights organizations to strengthen women entrepreneurs’ voices and role in decision-making; and (3) working with private sector investors to change biases against lending to women entrepreneurs and to design financial products tailored to their needs.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased performance and sustainability of women and young women-owned micro small and/or medium enterprises in the blue economy; and (2) improved enabling environment and reduced discriminatory social norms and barriers that women entrepreneurs producers and suppliers face in the blue economy in Kenya.