607422 - Kenya2Equal Women Employment

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Summary of Advisory Services Project Information

Project Number

607422

Primary Business Area

Other

Disclosure Date

Mar 17, 2026

Country

Kenya

Region

Africa

IFC Approval Date

Oct 17, 2024

Status

Active

Estimated Total Budget

$1,200,000.00
(Project budget includes all project-funded activities)

Last Updated Date

Mar 19, 2026

Project Estimated Start Date

Jul 12, 2024

Project Estimated End Date

Jun 30, 2027

Project Description

Kenya2Equal is a three-year initiative aimed at closing gender gaps in Kenya’s private sector workplaces. It unites forward-thinking companies to share knowledge, learn best practices, and make measurable commitments to advance gender equality. Focus Areas: 1). Increase women’s representation in leadership roles 2). Expand women’s participation across all levels of employment Through tailored technical advisory support, participating companies will strengthen their ability to attract, recruit, retain, and promote women, building a strong business case for gender inclusivity. The initiative promotes peer learning, giving members access to proven strategies, resources, and insights from across the private sector. Each company commits to implementing at least three gender-smart solutions to address gaps in recruitment, retention, and promotion. IFC provides direct support by diagnosing existing gender gaps and offering targeted solutions to close them. By joining Kenya2Equal, companies become part of a coordinated movement to create a more equitable, diverse, and high-performing workforce, driving both social impact and business success in Kenya’s private sector.

Development Results

The Broad Objective of Kenya2Equal: Kenya2Equal will work with private sector firms, encompassing the IFC portfolio, pipeline clients, and the broader private sector firms, to reduce gender disparities and boost women's participation in the workforce. The initiative aims to assist companies in adopting workplace policies and practices that attract, hire, retain, and advance more women in the labor market. The project's goals and several related indicators contribute to the Key Focus Area of Cross-Cutting Themes in the WBG Scorecard by promoting increased and improved employment opportunities for women and youth. Specific Project Objectives. 1. Enhanced access to quality jobs for women. 2. Increased capacity of private sector companies to attract, recruit, retain, and promote women. 3. Increased awareness of the business case for investing in women as leaders and employees among companies through market-level and corporate case studies. The project aims to achieve this overall objective through three core components: 1. Peer Learning Platform 2. Research 3. Firm-level

Indicator	Cumulative
Number of participants in workshops, training events, seminars, conferences, etc.	0
Number of participants providing feedback on satisfaction	0
Number of participants reporting satisfied or very satisfied with workshops, trainings, seminars, conferences, etc.	0
Number of reports (assessments, surveys, manuals, Phase I/strategic option reports, research, analytical, evaluations, etc.) completed	null
Number of women participants in workshops, training events, seminars, conferences, etc.	null
Number of workshops, training events, seminars, conferences, etc.	null
Number of entities receiving advisory services	null

E&S Risks / Impacts and Mitigation

Performance Standard	Description and Potential Impact	Mitigation
PS 1. Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts	If environmental and social risks are not managed effectively, companies may face challenges such as environmental pollution, workplace accidents, violation of labor laws, reputational damage, and disruption of business operations. Poor practices can harm natural resources, negatively affect workers’ welfare, and reduce trust in businesses among local communities. In Kenya2Equal, the project is addressing these risks through a phased approach starting with a light review of participating companies at the peer learning stage, followed by more detailed, company specific assessments during firm level advisory. IFC experts will work closely with companies and public stakeholders to ensure risks are identified early and that actions are taken to safeguard people, the environment, and business continuity.	We are working with companies in Kenya to improve environmental and social (E&S) practices in line with IFC's international standards. As a first step, we have conducted an initial review of company practices at the peer learning stage. Building on this, we will carry out detailed assessments and propose practical solutions to address identified E&S risks during the firm-level advisory phase. This approach aims to prevent environmental harm, create safer and fairer workplaces, and strengthen relationships between businesses and local communities generating lasting benefits for people, the environment, and the economy.
PS 2. Labor and Working Conditions	Poor labor practices can lead to unsafe workplaces, legal problems, and harm to workers, their families, and communities. In Kenya2Equal we are ensuring fair and safe conditions by following IFCs Labor and Working Conditions standards. We have carried out an initial review with participating companies and will do more detailed, company-specific assessments as we move into firm-level advisory. This approach helps identify and fix problems early, creating safer and more respectful workplaces.	Light due diligence has been completed for participating companies at the peer learning stage, which does not involve in-depth engagement with individual firms. As the platform progresses to firm level advisory engagements, comprehensive, company specific assessments will be undertaken to identify gaps and design tailored mitigation measures. IFC advice will be provided at this stage in line with the principles of the relevant Performance Standards. The IFC team will also support stakeholders, as the final decisionmakers, in developing a clear understanding of IFCs Performance Standards.

This Summary of Advisory Services Project Information (ASPI) is prepared by IFC to disclose a factual summary of the main elements of this advisory services project. It may also include findings and recommendations related to environmental and social considerations regarding this project. The purpose of the ASPI is to enhance the transparency of IFC's activities. For any project documentation or data included or attached herein, whether prepared by the project sponsor or otherwise, authorization has been given for public release by the client. IFC considers that this ASPI is of adequate quality for release to the public, but has not necessarily independently verified all of the project information therein.
It is distributed within sixty days of project's approval and may be updated periodically afterwards. Total budget and start dates are estimates only. The following ASPI is disclosed in accordance with IFC's Access to Information Policy (AIP) that went into effect on January 1, 2012.

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