Hand in Hand International has launched an ambitious new Acceleration Strategy building on six years of successful programming that has supported 10,000 entrepreneurs (80% women) to strengthen and scale their businesses. These entrepreneurs have moved well beyond the poverty line and closer to long-term economic security. The new strategy sets out to reach 50,000 business owners by 2030.

Hand in Hand’s acceleration programme is the ‘next step’ for women entrepreneurs, many of whom have already graduated from the charity’s initial business training programme.

Despite the critical role micro and small enterprises play in East Africa’s economies, a significant support gap persists. Most acceleration initiatives in the region target larger, more established businesses — often ten times the size of those Hand in Hand serves. Meanwhile, “poverty graduation” programmes tend to focus on entrepreneurs living below the poverty line.

This leaves microenterprise owners — earning on or just above the poverty line — overlooked when it comes to scaling and acceleration support – in fact, in Kenya for example, only 2% of the country’s 7.4 million MSMEs have grown into small or medium-sized enterprises.

Hand in Hand’s Acceleration Strategy aims to bridge this gap. The strategy outlines how advanced business training, tailored mentoring, peer networks, and digital marketing skills can help entrepreneurs grow their incomes to $15 a day – an income level that drives transformational improvements in healthcare, housing and nutrition.

At this stage of growth, enterprises transition from micro to SMEs. SMEs tend to be more resilient and have greater impact on poverty reduction through multiplier effects such as increased job creation.

Nick Lynch-Staunton, Head of Programmes, Acceleration and Climate, Hand in Hand International, said:

“We are excited to launch this new strategy, marking an important milestone in our ongoing work to accelerate women-led businesses.

“Our approach fills a crucial unmet need — women who have the skills and ambition to grow their businesses, but who lack access to the specialist support required to take that next step.

“When we help one woman grow her enterprise, the impact extends far beyond her household. We help create an ecosystem of larger, more sustainable and resilient businesses, that will employ local people and drive down poverty at scale.

“Our acceleration work builds on six years of programming made possible through the generous partnership of organisations that share our mission to reduce poverty by supporting women entrepreneurs. To reach 50,000 business owners by 2030, partnership will be essential, and we look forward to working with more individuals and organisations who share this ambition.”

Read the strategy here

How regenerative farming helped one family move forward