Standard Chartered in partnership with @iBizAfrica, Strathmore University and Village Capital have today officially launched Cohort 8 of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Accelerator Programme, reaffirming their commitment to empowering women-led startups through technology-driven, inclusive innovation.
Held at Standard Chartered, the launch, themed “Bridging the Digital Divide for Inclusive Innovation,” spotlighted the urgent need to make technology innovative and inclusive, particularly for women and marginalised groups often left behind by Kenya’s booming tech sector. Despite Kenya’s status as Africa’s Silicon Savannah, digital access remains uneven: only 40.8% of the population is online, and over 60% of women lack essential digital skills.
Through the partnership with Village Capital, Standard Chartered’s Women in Tech Accelerator will equip women-led start-ups with essential skills, financing and networks to drive long term impact.
“At Standard Chartered, we believe that real progress happens when innovation is accessible to all, especially women leading change at the grassroots level. Through Women in Tech Cohort 8, we are not only funding bold ideas but also creating a platform where inclusive technology can thrive and empower communities often left behind. It’s about making sure no woman with a vision is held back by a lack of digital access,” said Dr. Beverley Obatoyinbo, Board Member, Standard Chartered, Kenya.
Since its inception, the Women in Tech Programme has awarded over KES 143 million to 39 women-led ventures. To ensure innovation truly serves all Kenyans, Cohort 8 will prioritisesolutions tailored to underserved communities and that meet local needs, such as USSD platforms, offline apps, and community-based tech models.
Cohort 8 of the Women in Tech Programme is a deliberate intervention to ensure women-led businesses survive and lead in the digital era. By supporting affordable, adaptive technologies,whether through USSD, SMS, or offline platforms, Women in Tech is investing in solutions that can reach every corner of society, not just the connected few.
“This year, we are being intentional about equity in innovation. By focusing on women from underserved communities and investing in adaptable technologies like USSD and offline solutions, we are closing the gap between potential and opportunity. Women in Tech is more than a programme – it is a movement toward inclusive, impactful entrepreneurship,” added Joyce Kibe, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Kenya and Africa.
Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Strathmore University Vice Chancellor, also underscored the importance of inclusive leadership in innovation: “True innovation is not measured by investment alone, but by inclusion. When we empower women at the margins to lead with tech, we reimagine what progress looks like for everyone.”
Building on the success of last year’s cohort, standout ventures like Gwiji for Women, which connects cleaners from informal settlements to clients via mobile, and Sign With Us, a platform offering digital Kenyan Sign Language training, are examples of tech being used as a tool for equity, access, and empowerment.
Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director, @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University, emphasised the role of academic-industry partnerships in building inclusive tech ecosystems.
“Through @iBizAfrica and @iLabAfrica, we are providing entrepreneurs with research-backed tools, mentorship, and technical guidance that ground innovation in practical impact. This programme is about scaling businesses that solve real-world problems, especially in areas where digital access is a luxury,” said Dr. Sevilla.
In addition to seed funding, the 2025 programme will feature masterclasses on digital accessibility, adaptive business models, and inclusive fintech, ensuring founders gain capital and the know-how to build resilient businesses that uplift entire communities.
