Empowering African Entrepreneurs: A Recap of the Harambean Impact Tour.

“Pezesha has enabled me to have structure in my business, something I had never thought of doing,and now that I don't worry about credit I can focus my time on acquiring more clients and growing my business.” Doreen Cherotich

These words from one of our MSMe beneficiaries are not just testimonial but a declaration of transformation as it was the key theme yesterday as we hosted the Harambean Network—a dynamic community of African entrepreneurs—for an inspiring impact tour. The day was filled with insightful discussions, success stories, and a shared vision for transforming the way small businesses access capital and grow sustainably.

Setting the Stage

Our CEO, Hilda Moraa, kicked off the day with a warm welcome and an engaging introduction session, the harambean way. Each participant shared their name, purpose, and how they envisioned being of service, setting a collaborative tone for the event. Hilda then introduced our flagship product—a solution that connects small businesses with capital through their suppliers using embedded

 finance. She highlighted that this innovative approach has already reached over 400,000+ customers, demonstrating our commitment to driving financial inclusion and growth. With the informal sector making up 98% of businesses in Kenya, contributing 30% of jobs and 3% of the GDP (KAAA, 2017) ,  We aim to empower these businesses with the skills and knowledge necessary to enhance their financial literacy and creditworthiness. 

A Deeper Dive into Impact

Following the introductions, our Chief Data Officer, Josh Allen, took the stage to break down how we approach financial empowerment, our work is about more than transactions, it is about transformation. In his own words, “We are not just a lender; we are an enabler.” He emphasized how our strategy has empowered over 400,000 MSMEs, created more than 60,000 jobs, and achieved a growth rate of 10-20%. This comprehensive overview not only underlined our business achievements but also reinforced our broader mission of uplifting communities through financial education and accessible capital.

Embracing ESG and Financial Education

A key highlight of the day was our discussion on financial education as a tool for impact. We believe that understanding finance is crucial for sustainable business growth, and our initiatives in this area have been instrumental in driving change. Additionally, we shared insights into our robust ESG strategy. Pezesha's approach to targeting our market is intentional, a key factor behind our high percentage of female borrowers. This is particularly important because women often face limited access to financial resources. 

Pezesha intentionally designs its market approach, which results in a higher percentage of women borrowers—an audience that often faces limited access to funds.

Inspiring Impact Stories

The tour was punctuated by powerful real-life success stories. Doreen who was a Mama Samaki through our partnership with Victory Farms—captured everyone’s attention. Starting with a credit limit of 11,000 Kenyan shillings, Doreen has been able to transform her business in just four months, growing her limit to 64,000 Kenyan shillings. Today, she proudly employs three people, has opened a physical shop, and is ambitiously exploring opportunities to supply fish to other businesses. Her journey is a vivid example of how access to finance can empower entrepreneurs to have confidence to scale their businesses and create jobs.

Another standout story is that of Sarah Mwanthi, who has been running her retail shop since 2020. Despite the unpredictable nature of business and the challenges posed by inflation, Sarah remains resolute and optimistic. Pezesha came through for her—providing the financial support she needed without the hassle of paperwork or the need for guarantors. Over the course of her entrepreneurial journey, Sarah took five loans with Pezesha. She started with a modest loan of Kshs 10,000, which grew to Kshs 15,000 after her successive applications. With an initial daily sale of Kshs 32,000, and after taking four loans, she successfully boosted her sales by 50%. Sarah’s experience is a testament to how accessible, flexible financial products can empower small business owners to not only survive but thrive.

Looking Forward

The day concluded on an encouraging note, with our guests looking forward and inspiring us to continue telling the stories of our SMEs globally. Their enthusiasm and belief in the transformative power of these narratives reinforced our mission: we must keep sharing these success stories to inspire more entrepreneurs and foster a community of innovation, resilience, and growth.

At Pezesha, our mission is clear—we are committed to being more than a lender; we are enablers of growth, and sustainable development. With a bold vision for 2025 and beyond, we aim to expand our impact, empowering communities and fostering innovation across the continent, paving the way for inclusive prosperity in the future.The impact tour with the Harambean Network has reinforced our resolve to drive meaningful change, empower African entrepreneurs, and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Join us as we continue this journey of impact, innovation, and empowerment. Together, we can create opportunities that transform lives and build thriving communities.

Are you looking to create impact within the SME lending ecosystem? Reach out to us at hello@pezesha.com to explore how we can work together.