Breaking Barriers: How women entrepreneurs are navigating finance, procurement, and cross-border trade

Despite owning one in three small and medium-sized enterprises globally, women still receive only about one per cent of procurement spending from large corporations and governments.

This gap creates significant barriers for women entrepreneurs who strive to access lucrative markets, secure contracts, and grow their businesses.

At the second EmpowerHer Conference in Nairobi, convened by UN Women in partnership with the Government of the United Arab Emirates, more than 300 stakeholders gathered to discuss gender-responsive procurement, a strategy aimed at ensuring women-owned businesses have fair access to contracts and economic opportunities.

For Rodah Makena Ikiara, Managing Director of NICRYP Investment Ltd, the journey has been both challenging and enlightening.

She recalls how, before the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program, competing for government tenders was daunting.

“We had to go head-to-head with large companies, and the tender requirements were too demanding for most women,” she explains.

Bank statements, audited accounts, and other documentation often made it impossible for women to qualify.

When AGPO was introduced, things became easier. Continuous registration replaced specific registration periods, and more tenders became accessible to women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Yet, even with these improvements, obstacles remained. Financial limitations often forced women to pursue smaller tenders, even when larger ones were available.

Collateral requirements from banks, including title deeds or logbooks, further restricted access.

“Another challenge I want to highlight,” Rodah shares, “is cross-border trade.

At one point, I had an opportunity to supply cereals to South Africa, about 15 sacks of black beans.

I did not know where to start. Road transport, customs requirements, and export documentation were all very confusing. Without guidance, it felt impossible.

But through the connections and advice I received during UN Women workshops, I learned how to navigate cross-border processes, work with the right agents, and comply with regulations.

That experience gave me confidence and opened my business to new markets.”

Rodah also proposes practical solutions: tailored financing packages for women entrepreneurs, agreements where banks are paid directly upon completion of contracts, and programs similar to youth-targeted initiatives but designed specifically for women.

“If a woman receives 50,000 today, by next year it could grow to 500,000. Women create jobs and support families. Supporting women in business improves both the economy and the community,” she says.

Financial Solutions and Market Access

Elizabeth Wasunna, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Absa Bank Kenya, spoke at length about how women entrepreneurs can navigate finance and scale their businesses.

She explained that Absa developed Absa She, a women-focused initiative, after engaging women entrepreneurs across Kenya to understand their minimum support needs.

Four pillars emerged:

First, access to sustainable finance. Wasunna noted that fewer than 10 percent of women in Kenya have land titles in their names, making traditional collateral difficult.

“We designed unsecured lending solutions that assess cash flows, business plans, and potential rather than property ownership,” she said.

“Women need loans that reflect their business realities, not just assets they may not own.”

Second, access to markets. Wasunna shared how women agripreneurs participated in an international trade expo in Madrid, Spain, where buyers praised the quality of Kenyan produce, including chilies, avocados, and pineapples.

“Many women struggled with contracting, logistics, and compliance,” she explained.

“Our role is to support market readiness teaching documentation, export processes, and negotiation skills. We also advise on pricing strategies to remain competitive internationally.”

Third, access to networks. Through events like the annual Access and Smiley Conference, women entrepreneurs can meet peers, potential partners, and mentors across Africa and globally.

“These networks are vital,” Wasunna emphasized. “They help women share solutions, form partnerships, and learn strategies that go beyond textbooks.

Many business challenges are easier when you have someone who has navigated them before.”

Finally, mentorship and coaching. Women often need guidance in human resource policies, taxation, and business management.

Wasunna urged entrepreneurs to leverage coaching programs, peer learning, and advisory services to strengthen their businesses.

She shared that Absa initially set a target to empower one million women through a KSh 10 million fund a target that has already been achieved, demonstrating the impact of tailored support.

Success Through Gender-Responsive Procurement

Anna Othoro, Commercial Lead at Omnispace 3D Limited, shared how women-owned businesses can navigate procurement opportunities strategically.

Omnispace, a small infrastructure company, gained international recognition when it bid for the ICPD25 Summit in Copenhagen.

The tender deadline was tight, and submission required in-person delivery overseas, yet Omnispace partnered with other women-led businesses to form a consortium and successfully executed the contract.

“That experience taught us several lessons,” Othoro explained.

“First, preparation is key. Understand the tender requirements fully, break down the deliverables, and identify partners who complement your strengths. Second, visibility matters.

Sometimes clients don’t know what your business can deliver, network, showcase past projects, and document successes.

Third, take calculated risks. Susan Mboya, our founder, got on a plane to Copenhagen herself because she believed in the value of the opportunity. That courage can make the difference.”

Othoro also highlighted the importance of mentoring and subcontracting.

Omnispace intentionally works with smaller women-led businesses on components of larger projects, enabling them to gain experience, access financing, and create jobs.

“Procurement is not charity. When women-led businesses succeed, they reinvest 90 percent of earnings into their families and communities. Every opportunity shifted from three percent to five or ten percent makes a real social impact.”

County-Level Support and Strategic Priorities

H.E. Dr. Moses Kiarie Badilisha, Governor of Nyandarua, emphasized the government’s role in enabling women entrepreneurs.

“Women’s economic empowerment is not a favor it is a constitutional and economic imperative,” he said. Counties are now breaking large tenders into smaller, accessible lots, streamlining supplier registration, and ensuring timely payments.

He shared practical advice for women entrepreneurs: understand county procurement cycles, register early and keep documentation updated, and leverage county-supported initiatives in agriculture, agro-processing, and textiles.

“Counties provide aggregation centers, cold storage, market linkages, and even manufacturing facilities. Women who tap into these structures can scale their businesses faster,” Dr. Badilisha noted.

He also stressed digital tools, encouraging entrepreneurs to adopt e-commerce, digital payments, and trade portals to increase visibility.

Looking ahead, the Governor proposed strategic priorities: establish County Women Enterprise Hubs offering incubation, finance, digital skills, certification, and market linkages, and develop an inter-county digital registry of women suppliers to expand national market access.

“When women participate meaningfully, household incomes stabilize, production grows, and informal economic activities decline.

This creates a multiplier effect, strengthening entire county economies.”

UN Women’s Strategic Role

Antonia N’gabala Sodonon, UN Women Country Representative, provided detailed insights into the broader ecosystem supporting women entrepreneurs.

She emphasized that inclusive markets and equitable supply chains are essential for economic growth and social development.

“Gender-responsive procurement is not an act of charity it is a smart economic strategy,” she said.

“Governments must strengthen policies, enforce compliance, publish sex-disaggregated procurement data, and ensure prompt payments to women suppliers. Private sector leaders should set supplier diversity targets, simplify onboarding processes, and consciously expand sourcing from women-led enterprises.

Development partners need to invest in training, certification, and financing instruments that scale market access for women entrepreneurs.”
Sodonon also emphasized the importance of knowledge and exposure:

“Women need access to forums where they can learn tendering processes, pricing, costing, and cross-border trade. They also benefit from mentoring and peer networks. These platforms build confidence and equip women to navigate complex business environments effectively.”

Finally, she highlighted the role of media:

“Journalists and media houses must keep women’s economic empowerment on the public agenda, spotlight successful women entrepreneurs, and hold stakeholders accountable for their commitments. Visibility reinforces credibility and inspires others to step forward.”

A Call to Action

Through the EmpowerHer Conference, Rodah and other women entrepreneurs are not just sharing experiences; they are finding solutions.

With tailored financing, mentorship, networks, and government support, women-owned businesses can access larger market
s, grow sustainably, and create jobs.

Rodah’s message is clear: “With the right support, women entrepreneurs can grow rapidly. Every opportunity given to women is an investment in the future not just of a business, but of families, communities, and the economy.”

Help us tell more untold stories of African Philanthropy!

To DONATE or Pledge: CLICK HERE