OFFICIAL CHAPTER OF:
WHO WE ARE
FOWEK is the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs – Kenya, bringing together women entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, and women-led business associations to build stronger businesses, create opportunities, and grow together.
ABOUT US
Federation of Women Entrepreneurs – Kenya (FOWEK), formerly Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association (FEWA) was revamped in 2022 and officially registered as a Trust in 2022. The former was established in 2008 by Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert and Rita Ndonye among other visionary leaders. Its mandate remains.
FOWEK is the apex body of all women entrepreneurs, women investors, and women business owners and their business associations play the role of lobbying and advocating for Women Entrepreneur Associations (WEAs) to influence Policy formulation and Disseminating information to help women overcome gender challenges and succeed in their various business fields.
ABOUT COMFWB
The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) was established in July 1993 in Zimbabwe with the endorsement of the Authority, which comprises Heads of State and Governments of the COMESA member states. COMFWB rests on a solid foundation of legal and institutional legitimacy with its’ mandate embedded in the Treaty; establishing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA, under Article 155 – Women in Business and Article 154- Women in Development.
COMFWB Objectives:
• The institution’s objectives are set out in Article 4 of the COMFWB Charter thus:
• To promote programmes that integrate women into trade and development activities in Eastern and Southern
Africa: in particular, in the fields of industry, trade and services, agriculture, fishing, energy, transport and communications, natural resources and mining, with the main objective of improving the economic conditions of
women in the sub-region as well as increasing the awareness of women in development and business issues at
the policy level.
Priorities :
COMFWB draws its mandate from (i) the Treaty establishing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa,
COMESA, under Article 155 – Role of Women in Business; (ii) Article 154- Role of Women in Development (iii) COMFWB
Charter, which mandates COMFWB to “act as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience among women
entrepreneurs; an instrument through which the appropriate portion of COMESA Women in Development
Programmes shall be implemented; a forum for network among women entrepreneurs and an instrument for
encouraging women to set up or expand existing enterprises.”
Execution of these mandates is undertaken through its constituent National Chapters – Hence, FOWEK is Kenya’s
National Chapter
COMESA Member States
FOWEK connects Kenyan enterprises across 21 member economies in Eastern and Southern Africa.
To provide leadership to women entrepreneurs and associations through lobbying, advocacy, training, mentorship, networks, and information sharing that promote economic partnerships, linkages, and affiliations.
To economically empower women entrepreneurs in order to impact and transform societies within Kenya and beyond.
OUR ROLE IN WOMEN & BUSINESS
FOWEK provides women entrepreneurs with a collective voice. Through advocacy, partnerships, training, mentorship and networking, we work to address barriers affecting women in business while creating opportunities for women to participate more fully in trade, investment and economic growth.
WHAT WE DO BEST
Our work is centred on helping women move from simply running businesses to building sustainable and competitive enterprises.
Keep members informed of all opportunities available locally, regionally, and globally to enhance entrepreneurship participation and growth.
Connect members to high-impact professionals, cross-border markets, and regional B2B opportunities across Africa.
Facilitate mentorship programs guided by top leaders and certifications through rigorous and carefully curated capacity-building and training opportunities.
Access to finance through loans and financial management training.
Represent, lobby, and advocate at COMESA platforms through COMFWB.
Connect women-led enterprises to valuable resources and networks across Kenya and the 21 COMESA member states.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Every woman aspiring to economic success is welcome to our network.
Our services are delivered in an open and easily understood manner.
We shall at all times embrace ethical and high moral standards in our work and lives.
Competent, efficient, and effective service delivery
We will uphold the dignity of all our people at all times.
Fairness and justice in the discharge of duties and responsibilities to all our stakeholders.
COMMUNITY & SCALE
FOWEK has a growing network of women entrepreneurs and business leaders across Kenya, with connections extending into the wider COMESA region spanning 21 member states.
BE PART OF FOWEK
Whether you are building a business, looking for new markets, seeking connections, or ready to grow, FOWEK brings you into a network built around women in business.
