Meet the 2023 Winners
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Institutions' Category
Small Business Supporter of the Year Award
Winner: The Hustler Fund (The Financial Inclusion Fund)
Elizabeth N. Nkukuu CFA - Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Financial Inclusion Fund (Hustler Fund) receives the Small Business Supporter of the Year Award from Rachel Ndungu, CEO - Biashara Africa (right). Looking on is Victor Agolla, County Chief Officer - Digital Economy and Startups, Nairobi City County (right) and Ezekiel Macharia, Managing Director and Chief Actuary - Kenbright (left)
The Hustler fund is a digital financial inclusion initiative designed to improve financial access to responsible finance for personal, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya.
Majority of Kenyan citizens work in the informal sector encompassing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with limited access to credit leading to relatively low adoption of innovative technologies and management practices that account for their diverse needs. The Government established the Financial Inclusion Fund popularly referred to as Hustler Fund to help cushion and mitigate financial shocks for this informal sector which accounts for more than 80% of the workforce and contributes over 33% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The core objective of The Hustler Fund is to offer holistic financial solutions targeting people at the bottom of the pyramid. The main pillars within the financial inclusion fund are: Affordable credit, Competitive savings & Pensions products, Comprehensive insurance solutions, Access to affordable housing, Market linkages, Financial Literacy
Most Supportive County Award
Winner: Nairobi City County
Victor Agolla, County Chief Officer - Digital Economy and Startups, Nairobi City County (2nd right) and Elizabeth Ndungu, Director Digital Economy and Startups - Nairobi City County (right) receives the Most Supportive County Award from Anne Muraya, Chief Executive Officer - Deloitte East Africa (center) and Gladys Makumi - Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Leader, Deloitte East Africa (2nd left). Looking on is Rachel Ndungu, CEO - Biashara Africa (right)
The Nairobi City County (047) was awarded the Most Supportive County prize for it's outstanding initiatives, programs, and policies that the county has implemented to empower and uplift small businesses.
Best Bank of the Year Award
Winner: Equity Bank Kenya Ltd.
Peter Karuga - Business Growth & Dev't Manager, Equity Bank (center) receives the Best Bank of the Year Award from Anne Muraya, Chief Executive Officer - Deloitte East Africa (2nd left). Looking on is Gladys Makumi - Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Leader, Deloitte East Africa (right), Joyce Khalechi - Payments Supervisor, Equity Bank (2nd right) and Emmanuel Wolukau - Relationship Officer, Biashara Banking, Equity Bank (left).
Equity's key purpose is to financially empower and elevate communities at grassroots level throughout Africa. Through partnerships with organizations that share our vision and the provision of economic aid, we have transformed how our customer banks and provided access to financial resources that will change lives.
The Bank was awarded the Best Bank of the Year prize for the trust and confidence that small businesses have placed in the institution and the bank's commitment to understanding their unique needs, offering innovative financial products, and fostering strong relationships.
Logistics Provider of the Year Award
Winner: Pick-up Mtaani
Left to Right Ezekiel Macharia, Managing Director and Chief Actuary - Kenbright Robert Mwalugha, Co-founder & CEO - Pick-up Mtaani Kennedy Okiya, Co-founder - Pick-up Mtaani
PickUp Mtaani is a logistics company founded by Ken Okiya and Robert Mwalugha, two entrepreneurs based in Nairobi, Kenya. The company serves Small Businesses enabling them to save on delivery cost and give your customer more convenience with our network of 150+ agents.
The company has 25K + Small Businesses Reserved; 1M + Packages delivered; 100K+ Online Shoppers Served with 500M+ Gross Merchandise Value.
Entrepreneurs' Category
Small Business of the Year Award
Winner: Crafts With Meaning
Regina Mwangi, Administration Manager - Crafts With Meaning (center) receives the Small Business of the Year Award from Elizabeth Ndungu, Director Digital Economy and Startups - Nairobi City County (left). Looking on is Beryle Okwach, Growth and Partnership Lead - ImpactHER.
Caroline Ng'ang'a, Founder - Crafts With Meaning
We manufacture, sell and distribute bags, home decor products, corporate merchandise and lifestyle accessories by leveraging on the skills of artisans and creatives most of them underserved and working in remote corners of Kenya and Uganda.
Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
Winner: DIRO Jewellers
Dianga Ochino, Founder - DIRO Jewellers (right) receives the Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award from Anne Muraya, Chief Executive Officer - Deloitte East Africa
Dianga Ochino, Founder - DIRO Jewellers
We are producers and manufacturers of handcrafted fashion accessories and jewelers. Working with locally available materials such as Brass, Horn, Bone and Stones and sometimes run upcycling projects which involve paper and other media.
Youth-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
Winner: Kono Farm Entreprise
Ephraim Okeyo, Founder - Kono Farm Entreprise (right) receives the Youth-Owned Small Business of the Year Award from Anne Muraya, Chief Executive Officer - Deloitte East Africa
Ephraim Okeyo, Founder - Kono Farm Entreprise
We rear edible snails as white meat for sale and human consumption and for commercial purposes. We also sell the snail slime to players in the cosmetic industry and are planning to harvest the slime and manufacturer our own cosmetic products as well as animal feed from the shell powder.
Fastest Growing Small Business Award
Winner: Chairs R Us Ltd.
Rakhi Shah, Director of Chairs R Us Ltd. (3rd left) and her Team receive the Fastest Growing Small Business Award from Beryle Okwach, Growth and Partnership Lead - ImpactHER (left). Looking on is Salome Ayugi, Kenya Country Manager - Sinapis Group and Veronica Gakio, Board Member AWEP and Founder, Ankole Luxury (right)
Rakhi Shah, Director - Chairs R Us Ltd.
In the heart of Kenya, a unique adventure began in 2016. Two visionaries, Rakhi Shah and Deval Suchak, saw a gap in the furniture market and decided to fill it with comfort and style. Thus, Chairs R Us was born, a company dedicated to providing ergonomic excellence in seating solutions. "Equipped with an accounting diploma and experience from a Kenyan Bank. Chairs R Us was born in 2016 with the idea of creating a niche market in the furniture sector" RAKHI SHAH, DIRECTOR
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Winner: Andy Speaks 4 Special Needs Persons
Sylvia Akinsiku, Founder - Andy Speaks 4 Special Needs Persons (right) receives the Diversity and inclusion Award from Ezekiel Macharia, Managing Director and Chief Actuary - Kenbright
Sylvia Akinsiku, Founder - Andy Speaks 4 Special Needs Persons
WE ARE CHAMPIONS OF EQUITY. Andy Speaks sets out to “BE the VOICE” of Neurodivergent persons & their caregivers. We set out to EDUCATE the society on matters neurodiversity, ADVOCATE for the rights & implementation of policies addressing special needs persons, Provide SUPPORT to parents and the neurodiverse persons by running programs that impact their lives to facilitate their independence & INTEGRATION to the community
Community Impact Award
Winner: Jowi FM
David Bondo’s representative from Jowi FM (right) receives the Community Impact Award from Ms. Elizabeth Ndungu, Director Digital Economy and Startups - Nairobi City County. Looking on is Victor Agolla, County Chief Officer - Digital Economy and Startups, Nairobi City County
David Bondo, Founder - Jowi FM
Jowi fm is a top dholuo radio station based in kisumu. Started in April 2019 in Siaya as Ratego Radio
The Youngest Small Business Owner of the Year Award
Winner: EcoBana Limited
Lennox Omondi posing with his Youngest Small Business Owner of the Year Award trophy
Lennox Omondi, Founder - EcoBana Limited
EcoBana is a social enterprise and a youth led company who work together with women, refugee outreach and young entrepreneurs based in different counties to produce biodegradable eco-friendly and hygienic sanitary towels made from banana fibers. Our aim is to stop the utilisation of plastic in manufacturing of sanitary towels through embracing organic and natural solutions in eradicating period poverty and enhancing gender equality with environmental sustainability.
The Sustainability Award
Winner: Roka Bags Africa
Roka Bags Africa Award trophy
Robert Mrima, Founder - Roka Bags Africa
We bring Uniqueness to the Fashion industry in Kenya by Upcycling redundant Billboards to trendy Bags. Our Vision is to save the environment from redundant billboards & banners while empowering the Youth & community at large by creating job opportunities. One bag at a time!
Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
1ST RUNNER-UP: Meishan International Merchants
Roka Bags Africa Award trophy
Ann Tobiko, Founder - Meishan International Merchants
Meishan is a social enterprrise facilitated by Ann Tobiko from Kajiado, Kenya. The aim is to enable a Maasai woman who has no other source of income to make and sell bead items for livelihoods. Maasai is an African tribe found in Kenya and Tanzania. The beadwork tradition runs deep amongst the Maasai families in Kajiado.
Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
2ND RUNNER-UP: Candle of Hope Beauty Clinic
Alice Kariuki, Founder - Candle of Hope Beauty Clinic (right) receives the 2ND RUNNER-UP - Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award category from Gladys Makumi - Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Leader, Deloitte East Africa
Alice Kariuki, Founder - Candle of Hope Beauty Clinic
Based in Nakuru Kenya, we offer beauty services and products. Our work contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) :
SDG 5: Gender Equality - we provide equal opportunities for men and women to work and receive services.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - we create decent work opportunities by providing training and employment for women & Youth.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - we reduce waste by using eco-friendly products and implementing sustainable practices such as recycling and reducing water usage.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - we create decent work opportunities by providing training and employment for women & Youth.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - we reduce waste by using eco-friendly products and implementing sustainable practices such as recycling and reducing water usage.
Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
4TH POSITION: Ayshah Maji Safi
Asha Rashid, Founder - Ayshah Maji Safi (right) receives the 4th Position award in the Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award Category from Harrison Ngatia, Head of SME Development - Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)
Asha Rashid, Social Entrepreneur & Founder - Ayshah Maji Safi
We make clean drinking water accessible and affordable to women in informal settlement areas of Mombasa Kenya.
Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
5TH POSITION: Mauca Welders and Fabricators
Moreen Njeri, Founder - Mauca Welders and Fabricators (right) receives the 5th Position award in the Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award from Alii Bakari, Business Coach from SoMo Africa
Moreen Njeri, Founder - Mauca Welders and Fabricators
We are fabrication experts with a primary focus on creating and constructing home & Office products and structures using specialized techniques and materials.
Our commitment is to provide innovative and efficient solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients. We continuously stay updated with the latest advancements in fabrication techniques and technologies to ensure that we deliver the highest level of craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Karibuni!
Remarks from Business Leaders
"We believe in the power of entrepreneurship and the immense potential of small businesses. Together, we have been dedicated to empowering and uplifting small businesses, providing them with the resources, programs, and services they need to thrive. The Small Business Awards is a testament to our commitment to fostering a vibrant and resilient small business community. We will continue to champion and support small businesses, driving economic growth and creating opportunities for success,"
"We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the Small Business Awards 2023. These entrepreneurs have demonstrated exceptional leadership and have set a high standard for small businesses across Kenya. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to witnessing their continued success."
"We celebrate the success and achievements of these outstanding small businesses. The Small Business Awards is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and innovation. These entrepreneurs have not only made a significant impact in their industries but have also contributed to economic growth and job creation,"
