Mama Haki Powers Coast Empowerment Summit in Mombasa, Launches Five-Year Initiative to Empower Women and Youth

The Mama Haki Foundation has initiated the second phase of its Stawisha Empowerment Program. This ambitious five-year program targets over 10,000 youth and women, with the goal of imparting critical skills in financial literacy, digital expertise, entrepreneurship, and soft skills development.

The empowerment journey kicked off with a one-day Empowerment Summit held on September 18, 2024, at the Licodep Resource Centre in Likoni Sub-County, Mombasa. Hundreds of residents, including women, youth, and local leaders, attended the summit to gain insights and participate in workshops designed to help them succeed in today’s rapidly evolving economic environment.

The program, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vision 2030, and President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), aims to create a sustainable and inclusive economy in Mombasa by empowering its most vulnerable populations—women and youth.

Empowerment Through Skill Development

During the summit, Nominated Mombasa Senator Hon Miraj Abdillahi emphasized the importance of empowering women and youth to drive economic growth in the region. She lauded the Mama Haki Foundation and its partners for their unwavering commitment to this noble cause.

“This summit is about breaking the glass ceiling and redefining what’s possible for women and youth in Mombasa. We’re not just empowering individuals; we’re catalyzing a movement for women-led economic growth,” she remarked during her keynote speech.

The Stawisha Empowerment Program is designed to provide participants with advanced skills in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, mobile app development, and financial literacy. The goal is to equip them with the tools they need to thrive in the digital economy while also fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.

The summit offered an opportunity for attendees to engage in hands-on projects that address real-world challenges in their communities. Industry experts led intensive workshops that focused on building digital solutions, creating mobile applications for small businesses, and understanding the complexities of modern finance.

A Strong Focus on Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship

A core component of the empowerment program is financial literacy, which seeks to demystify the world of finance for participants. Women and youth learned the basics of managing personal finances, saving, investing, and scaling small businesses into profitable ventures.

The program is specifically tailored to benefit small-scale traders and vendors, many of whom operate within Mombasa’s informal economy. By teaching these essential skills, the initiative aims to help them transition from informal operations to structured, thriving businesses.

Mercy Douglas, Sales Manager for the Coast Region at DTB Bank Kenya, spoke at the event and emphasized the bank’s commitment to empowering women and youth.

“We’re not just teaching business skills; we’re unleashing a wave of women-led enterprises that will reshape Mombasa’s economy. Our vision is to see these women and youth transition from informal traders to CEOs of thriving businesses within the next five years,” Douglas explained.

The program’s financial literacy component also includes workshops on budgeting, tax compliance, and accessing credit and funding. Participants are encouraged to form savings groups and investment clubs, creating a support network that will help them secure loans for business expansion.

Digital Skills for the Future

In addition to financial literacy, the Stawisha Empowerment Program places a strong emphasis on digital skills. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, possessing the skills to navigate the digital landscape is crucial for success. The summit featured sessions on mobile app development, web design, and how to leverage cloud technologies to build scalable businesses.

By equipping participants with these skills, the program aims to prepare them for careers in the tech industry or to use technology as a tool to grow their enterprises. From digital marketing to online payment systems, the workshops provided actionable strategies for integrating technology into traditional businesses.

The program also addressed the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing expertise, with participants receiving introductory lessons on how to use these technologies to solve local problems. The hope is that some of the program’s graduates will go on to create tech solutions that serve the unique needs of their communities.

Mentorship: Learning from Successful Entrepreneurs

One of the standout features of the Mama Haki Foundation’s program is its mentorship initiative. Participants are paired with successful women entrepreneurs from across Kenya, who provide them with guidance and support throughout their journey.

This unique aspect of the program allows women and youth to learn from those who have already walked the path to success. Mentors offer practical advice on overcoming challenges, navigating the complexities of business, and scaling their enterprises.

This mentorship program is designed to be more than just an exchange of ideas; it’s about building lasting relationships that will continue to support participants even after the program concludes. By fostering a sense of community and collaboration, the Stawisha Empowerment Program is creating a network of empowered women and youth who will continue to uplift each other.

Aligning with National and Global Goals

The Stawisha Empowerment Program is perfectly aligned with national and global development goals. It supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting gender equality, decent work, and economic growth. The program also complements Vision 2030, Kenya’s national development blueprint, which seeks to create a globally competitive and prosperous nation.

Additionally, the initiative aligns with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on uplifting the economic standing of marginalized communities through targeted interventions.

A Brighter Future for Mombasa

As the Mama Haki Foundation continues its work through the Stawisha Empowerment Program, the future looks bright for the women and youth of Mombasa. By providing them with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to succeed, the program is not just transforming lives—it’s creating a ripple effect that will positively impact the entire region.

With more summits and workshops planned in the coming months, the foundation is well on its way to achieving its goal of empowering over 10,000 women and youth in Mombasa County. This initiative promises to leave a lasting legacy of women-led economic growth, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation.