Women's Economic Empowerment: Trades and Enterprise in Mathare

Mathare is one of Nairobi's densest informal settlements. Many women there earn through small, irregular trade while caring for children. Since 2024, Nafasi has worked alongside Build & Enlighten Communities Initiative (BECI), a women-led organization founded in Mathare by Clarice Halanga, to change that. BECI leads the work on the ground; Nafasi provides funding, expertise and networks.

Proven Performance

680

Women and young people trained by BECI since 2024 and growing.

25

Shops opened by 75 graduates in 2026, all open and profitable.

2x

On average graduate income has more than doubled.

A full pathway from training to business ownership

  • BECI reaches the women who need it most, including young mothers and survivors of gender-based violence.

  • Hands-on courses in tailoring, hair and beauty, and detergent and soap making, taught by local experts.

  • Tailoring and hair graduates complete a one-month internship with a local business; detergent makers get supervised sales training in the community.

  • Entrepreneurship courses through local leaders and the UBC Sauder School of Business LIFT program, delivered live from Canada and supported at BECI. Each participant builds a business plan for her trade.

  • Graduates form small business groups and receive a full package of equipment and materials, working capital and three months of rent. Group dynamics training with GROOTS Kenya helps co-owners share decisions and resolve conflict.

  • BECI's team visits every business regularly, coaching on pricing, customers, operations and problem solving.

  • Once a business is up and running, owners can access low-interest loans through 4th Generation Capital's Jiinue program, with no collateral and no default penalties.

  • BECI's Johari Almasi shop opens at Galleria Mall in Nairobi in December 2026, giving graduates a storefront in one of the city's prominent shopping centres. In Canada, graduates' work is sold under Mikono, which soft-launched at Edmonton community markets, will be featured at the Fort Edmonton Park Christmas Market, and will open an online store soon. All Mikono proceeds return to BECI.

Support that makes it possible

Training is free. BECI's daycare is free and open seven days a week to trainees and graduates, so mothers can train and then keep working. Participants and their children receive meals during sessions.

Training also covers gender-based violence, reproductive health and legal rights, and ally sessions bring husbands, partners and local leaders into the conversation.

Program Facts

3 Specialized Training Cohorts

  • Hairstyling

  • Cosmetic Manufacturing

  • Tailoring of Reusable Goods

Longitudinal Life Skills Coaching

Each partipant is paired with a mentor who follows them throughout the program, graduation and beyond.

Program Highlights

  • Free Daycare for children of trainees and graduates

  • Free meal at every class

  • Business skills training from UBC Business School LIFT program

  • Affordable micro-loans without collateral, late fees, or default penalties

  • Start-up equipment and materials for each business

  • Trainings on GBV, reproductive rights, and legal rights