Program Management
GBF manages the full lifecycle of these funds, from design and partner selection to capital deployment, technical assistance, monitoring, and learning. This integrated model turns strategy into real results on the ground.
Through program management, GBF:
• Designs financial tools suited to enterprise and ecosystem needs
• Embeds training, mentorship, and advisory alongside capital
• Works through local partners with deep community reach
• Builds systems for learning, accountability, and impact measurement
The result: enterprises move from survival to sustainable growth and, over time, graduate into larger sources of finance.
Capital paired with hands-on support and strong local partners. This ensures enterprises are not only resourced, but ready to grow.
Jiinue Growth Program
A nationwide initiative empowering over 225,000 youth and women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises across Kenya.
The program combines grassroots mobilisation, digital-based concessional loans, and both in-person and digital technical assistance across all 47 counties. Loan sizes range from KES 5,000 to KES 14,000,000, with terms up to two years.
KEY RESULTS
$6M+
Financing provided to SMEs
200,000+
Trained participants (65% young women)
400+
SMEs supported (45% women-owned)
47
Counties reached
A partnership with the African Guarantee Fund to address the financing gap facing women entrepreneurs in Kenya through tailored financing, technical assistance, and a graduation pathway to commercial banking.
The program provides medium-term working capital and growth financing to women-owned and women-led SMEs with flexible repayment terms and alternative collateral arrangements. Every business receives investment readiness training, due diligence support, and post-lending mentorship across financial management, operations, governance, and strategy. GBF works with partner banks to help qualifying businesses transition to mainstream banking through the AFAWA Guarantee.
AGF-AFAWA Women's SME Financing Program
KEY RESULTS
$1M+
Disbursed to women-led businesses
30
Women-led businesses supported
8
Counties across Kenya
The Eastern and Southern African Trade & Development Bank SME Program
A four-year facility with the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank to finance women and youth-led SMEs in agriculture.
The facility combines capital with technical assistance to strengthen financial management systems. Operating in Kenya and Tanzania.
KEY RESULTS
$1M
Committed
3
Companies across East Africa
15,000
Farmers reached
COVID-19 Recovery & Resilience Program (2020–2022)
A Mastercard Foundation initiative to support institutions and communities in Kenya during the pandemic. GBF served as fund manager.
The program featured online and offline assessment and training to improve MSME resilience. Sectors included wholesale and retail trade, clothing and fashion services, and agriculture and livestock.
FUND-LEVEL RESULTS
$6M
Loan capital
21,541
Microenterprises supported
43,018
Jobs sustained
81.2%
To women-owned enterprises
43.4%
To youth-owned enterprises