IN KENYA, creativity runs deep— but access to affordable capital often doesn’t. Powered by People is working to change that through the Jiinue Growth Program (JGP) which, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, brings together lending institutions, industry experts, and capacity-building partners to close the financing gap for Kenya’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The program combines financial support with customized technical assistance and a coordinated approach among various players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Through JGP, Powered by People is equipping select Kenyan makers with financing, digital tools, training, and market access—giving them the confidence and capacity to build globally competitive brands.

This support has enabled makers to refine their digital presence, scale production, access markets and join PBP’s dropship program—a game-changing model that connects them directly with top retailers. The impact is already clear: these brands are landing on the shelves of coveted stockists, including the Smithsonian, Nordstrom, and many others.

“When Kenyan artisans have access to the right blend of financing, digital capacity, and market connections, they don’t just create products,” says Hannah Tsadik, Country Director of Kenya Programmes at Mastercard Foundation, “they build livelihoods, preserve craftsmanship, and connect communities.”

ADELE DEJAK built her brand on belief. First in herself, then from those closest to her. After moving to Nairobi in 2005, the former art director transformed her savings into a design studio rooted in storytelling. Inspired by her grandmother and the symbolism of adornment, Dejak’s designs evolved from sculptural showpieces to wearable art made for everyday life. Her brand has grown deliberately and independently to a team of 25, supported not by venture capital, but by the belief of her father, sister and husband. Most recently, Powered by People had the opportunity to help support her next chapter. For Dejak, funding is more than money–it’s about shared values. “It’s about having the right work ethic and seeing the bigger picture,” she says. “I want to leave a legacy.”

WE ARE NBO is a Nairobi-based jewelry studio defining a new era of African craftsmanship, one where pieces are a dialogue between artisan and designer. Led by fashion designer Michael Nguthu and his team of 24, the brand embraces the pulse of Nairobi: a city alive with hustle and drive for innovation. At its core, We Are NBO reflects a commitment to community and social change and a desire to elevate the global perception of African craft. A vision that now proudly extends to the Smithsonian Museum of African Art’s online shop. As the brand looks ahead, its ambitions are intentional: to inspire future generations of Kenyan designers and embrace the art of innovation through material use, incorporating recycled brass, wood, and bone.