IFC targets gender gaps in Kenya workforce

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has launched Kenya2Equal, a three-year initiative designed to close gender gaps and expand women’s participation in Kenya’s private sector.

Backed by a $1.2 million budget, the program will support companies in adopting inclusive workplace policies, strengthening leadership diversity, and improving overall business performance.

The initiative targets structural barriers in recruitment, retention, and promotion, positioning gender inclusion as a driver of corporate growth and resilience.

Driving workforce inclusion across industries
Kenya2Equal focuses on increasing women’s representation at all levels of employment, particularly in leadership roles.

Participating companies will receive tailored advisory support, including diagnostics to identify gender gaps and actionable recommendations to address them. Each firm is expected to implement at least three gender-smart solutions, creating measurable outcomes and reinforcing accountability across the private sector.

Building capacity through advisory support
The initiative will engage IFC portfolio companies, pipeline clients, and broader private sector firms. It aims to enhance access to quality jobs for women while strengthening corporate capacity to attract and retain female talent.

Through firm-level advisory services, companies will gain tools to integrate inclusive policies into core business operations, aligning workforce strategies with long-term growth objectives.

Promoting peer learning and collaboration
A key component of Kenya2Equal is its peer learning platform, which enables companies to share best practices and adopt proven strategies for gender inclusion.

The program also includes research and market insights to help businesses understand the economic value of diversity and inclusion. This collaborative approach is expected to accelerate adoption of gender-smart solutions across industries.

Aligning gender inclusion with business performance
“Investing in women is not just a social imperative but a business priority,” an IFC representative said, highlighting the link between diversity and improved corporate outcomes.

The initiative aligns with the World Bank Group’s broader development agenda, particularly its focus on job creation and women’s economic empowerment. By supporting private sector transformation, Kenya2Equal aims to unlock new growth opportunities and strengthen the competitiveness of Kenyan businesses.