Absa Bank Kenya has partnered with Pan African impact investment platform- Melanin Kapital,to launch an investor readiness programme for startups.
The initiative places startups driving social impact on the path to accessing up to Sh3 million in unsecured lending.
Dubbed Tuungane2x to See Her Empowered, it is expected to reach 1,000 women-focused startups and enhance financial inclusion by providing them with financial training, investment-readiness capacity building, structured mentorship, structured networking, and access to finance.
The partnership leverages Absa Bank’s expertise as a holistic financial services institution and Melanin Kapital’s knowledge in the field of impact investment.
This is especially in connecting entrepreneurs to impact investors through providing them with funding partnerships, investor readiness training and mentorship.
Speaking during the launch of the partnership, Absa Bank’s business banking director Elizabeth Wasunna noted that it has been risky for investors and lenders to invest in small-scale businesses, due to various reasons that also curtail their growth.
They include lack of correct structures and documentations, collateral, relevant networks and track record among other challenges, she said.
![The signing ceremony took place in Kisumu, with Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o representing the county government and UN-Habitat Executive Director in Kenya, Anaclaudia Rossbach, signing on behalf of the UN agency. Under the agreement, both parties commit to jointly implementing the housing upgrade project, which Governor Nyong’o said will primarily target vulnerable groups. “The PINUA programme [is] designed to benefit the most vulnerable members of the community,” Nyong’o said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable neighborhoods equipped with essential services. Beginning November 1, 2025, the county government, working with UN-Habitat, will launch pilot projects in Kibuye Estate and Muhoroni Sub-County, based on designs and models developed through extensive public participation. The programme will focus on upgrading informal settlements by providing essential social infrastructure such as schools, sanitation facilities, affordable rental housing, early childhood development centres, and public open spaces. It also supports incremental housing models, allowing families to progressively build and eventually own decent homes. Rossbach emphasized UN-Habitat’s global commitment to driving transformative change in urban areas: “This partnership is crucial in advancing our new strategy, which focuses on improving housing access and digitally transforming informal settlements for everyone.” According to UN-Habitat housing architect Fred Omenya, the pilot phase will begin in January 2026 with the construction of two blocks of 24 housing units in Kibuye Estate.](https://businessinsights.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/About-us-still-25957706200_7ca2db7e5e_k-696x385.jpg "Kisumu, UN-Habitat sign Ksh2.7bn deal for social housing upgrade")
