Women-owned businesses in the agri-food and distribution sectors have just days remaining to apply for a prestigious growth program, with the window for the second cohort of the AFAWA initiative set to close this week.
The AFAWA Program, a collaborative effort between NCBA Bank, the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), Unga Group Plc, and the SME Support Centre, is making a final push for applications ahead of its 26th February 2026 deadline.
Designed as a high-impact capacity development program, the initiative aims to “strengthen the capacity and market readiness” of Women-Owned Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (WSMEs) by facilitating critical access to finance and supporting business scalability.
As the cutoff date nears, organizers have emphasized that the program is specifically curated for businesses with at least 51% female shareholding.
To ensure transparency and readiness for the four-month commitment, applicants must provide formal evidence of ownership, such as a CR12 form.
Furthermore, the program is looking for established enterprises that meet the following technical benchmarks:
-
Financial Performance: A minimum annual turnover of KES 5,000,000 is required.
-
Business Maturity: Companies must have been in operation for at least 3 years.
-
Workforce Scale: A minimum staff count of 10 employees is necessary to qualify.
While the program is primarily seeking businesses located in the Nairobi Metropolitan region—specifically Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado—strong applications from other counties are also being encouraged for consideration.
The curriculum is deeply integrated into the Unga Group Plc value chain.
Consequently, the call is out for those involved in the supply of raw materials like white and yellow maize, soya beans, and wheat by-products, as well as those distributing human foods and animal health products, including minerals and premixes.
With the deadline falling on 26th February 2026, time is running out for entrepreneurs to join a cohort designed to enhance “market readiness”.
By meeting the qualifications outlined, successful applicants will gain access to a platform curated to “accelerate your growth” through expert-led sessions and strategic networking.
Ultimately, this program represents a vital opportunity for women leaders to transition their businesses from local operations to scalable, bankable enterprises.
Interested parties are can apply here before the link expires at the end of the week.