Women in Manufacturing
A thriving industry needs every voice; especially hers.
Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
In Africa, women are driving entrepreneurship, with 25% engaged in entrepreneurial activities (OECD). Yet, most women-owned businesses remain informal, hindered by structural barriers from scaling or accessing industrial markets. In Kenya, women represent only 16% of the manufacturing workforce (ILO), with limited presence in leadership roles. The Women In Manufacturing (WIM) Programme is critical—not just for equity, but for fueling economic growth, innovation, and industrial resilience.
Despite global progress in educational parity, women still face unequal opportunities in the workforce, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing (UN Women). WIM is rewriting this narrative by empowering women through skills development, networking, mentorship, advocacy, and access to opportunities.
About the WIM Programme
Launched in 2017, WIM Programme is a strategic initiative housed within Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). It brings together women-owned, women-led, and women-founded businesses; as well as women professionals across the manufacturing value chain.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: To unlock opportunities for women to enter, advance, and lead in the manufacturing sector; and to ensure their products and services reach markets at the local, regional, and global level.
We do this by advocating for equity, dismantling systemic barriers, and building a network that fuels competitiveness, visibility, and shared growth.
Why WIM Matters
Despite significant contributions, women remain underrepresented in manufacturing, facing barriers in leadership, financing, markets, and upskilling. We believe that diverse industrial ecosystems are not just fair but also smarter, more resilient, and future-fit.
Through WIM, we are building a Kenya where women industrialists thrive; where the next generation of innovators, leaders, and changemakers includes her.
Our Core Activities
From boardrooms to factory floors, WIM unlocks access and agency through:
WIM Fireside Chats & Industry Visits
Gain exclusive access to Kenya's leading manufacturing facilities and industry leaders. These sessions offer first-hand exposure to operations, innovation, and leadership in practice; designed to inspire and inform your own journey in the sector.
Networking Forums & Conferences
Build meaningful connections that can grow your business. Our networking events bring together manufacturers, investors, policymakers, and support organizations to exchange ideas and open doors to collaboration.
Skills Training & Capacity Building
Strengthen your technical and leadership skills through targeted training. From business development to industrial processes, these sessions are tailored to help you scale your enterprise and lead with confidence.
Mentorship Programmes
Learn from experienced women in manufacturing who have navigated the path before you. Our mentorship programme offers guidance, encouragement, and practical knowledge to support your personal and professional growth.
Policy Advocacy
Join efforts to influence policies that support a more inclusive and competitive manufacturing sector. Through WIM, your voice contributes to shaping a business environment where women-led enterprises can thrive.
WIM Gala Dinner & Awards
Held annually during International Women's Month in March, the WIM Gala Dinner & Awards celebrates excellence, innovation, and leadership among women in manufacturing. It is more than a ceremony as it is a platform to highlight success stories, recognize trailblazers, and grow visibility for women-led enterprises within the industrial sector.
What's in it for You?
As a member of the Women in Manufacturing (WIM) Programme, you become part of a dynamic network committed to inclusion, innovation, and industrial transformation.
Grow Your Business
Access opportunities to expand your market reach, connect with peers across the value chain, and explore collaborations that fuel enterprise growth.
Strengthen Your Leadership
Benefit from training, mentorship, and forums that sharpen your leadership capabilities; positioning you to lead confidently in a competitive sector.
Gain Visibility and Recognition
Raise your profile within the manufacturing ecosystem through events and awards that spotlight your work.
Expand Your Network
Join a community of manufacturers, industry leaders, policymakers, and supporters committed to inclusive industrial growth. Build connections that open doors.
Shape Policy
Contribute your voice to advocacy efforts that influence policies and create a more enabling environment for women-led enterprises.
Access Knowledge and Resources
Stay informed on industry trends, best practices, and opportunities through our knowledge-sharing platforms, research, and tailored insights.
Belong to a Supportive Community
Be part of a growing movement that empowers women, nurtures collaboration, and provides a safe space for learning, exchange, and mutual growth.
Ready to Join Us?
There is a place for you in the WIM Network! Join a growing community that is unlocking opportunities, building capacity, and reshaping Kenya's industrial future; one woman at a time.
Do you have a question or an idea? We would love to hear from you. Email us at wim@kam.co.ke