Women constitute nearly 50 percent of the world’s population and have made substantial contributions to socio-economic development. However, in many developing and least-developed countries, their efforts remain largely unrecognized and unnoticed.

In Kenya, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) is a membership-based trade support institution dedicated to protecting the commercial and industrial interests of the Kenyan business community. Within KNCCI, a specialized wing known as Women In Business (WIB) Sector has been established. WIB-Kenya operates under the mandate of KNCCI, focusing on the empowerment of women in business and trade across all 47 counties.

The primary goal of the Women In Business wing at KNCCI is to build on the existing legacy while empowering women at both the national and county levels through education and capacity building. This initiative aims to integrate and support women in business, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

The year 2017 marked a significant milestone for WIB-Kenya with the launch of their inaugural awards. These awards were designed to celebrate exceptional women in business for their contributions and impact. They recognized women from the private and informal sectors, as well as business owners who have achieved success despite facing various challenges and societal norms.

The awards were structured into ten categories, recognizing women of impact and companies that have demonstrated support for women-owned enterprises, either directly or indirectly. The categories included:

1. Construction – Best Woman Entrepreneur 2017
2. ICT – Best Woman Entrepreneur 2017
3. Creative Arts – Best Woman Entrepreneur 2017
4. Best Student Entrepreneur 2017
5. Best Youth Entrepreneur 2017
6. Healthcare – Best Woman Entrepreneur 2017
7. Agribusiness – Best Woman Entrepreneur 2017
8. Education – Best Woman Entrepreneur 2017
9. Hospitality Industry – Best Woman Entrepreneur 2017
10. Overall – Company of the Year Award 2017

Daproim Africa was among the many women-owned businesses that embraced this new initiative and was proud to be present at the inaugural Women In Business awards. The company’s CEO, Caroline Wanjiku Kamanja, participated in the ICT – Best Woman Entrepreneur category and achieved the impressive accolade of First Runner-Up.

This accomplishment was particularly notable given the strong competition, and celebrations were in high gear as Daproim Africa and its team appreciated their achievements in 2017. They looked forward to building on this success and achieving even more in 2018.

The recognition from WIB-Kenya not only highlighted Caroline Wanjiku Kamanja’s dedication and hard work but also served as an inspiration for other women entrepreneurs. It underscored the importance of supporting and empowering women in business, ultimately contributing to the socio-economic development of the nation. As Daproim Africa continues to grow, it remains committed to fostering an environment where women can excel and make significant contributions to the digital economy and beyond.