Dr Jennifer Riria Honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Strategic Business and Leadership Awards 2025

Echo Network Africa Foundation proudly celebrates our President and CEO, Dr Jennifer Riria, who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement in Leadership Award at the 2025 Strategic Business and Leadership Awards. The ceremony brought together leaders from across the region to recognise individuals shaping progress in leadership, governance and social transformation.

In her acceptance remarks, Dr Riria reflected on a journey defined by courage, service and unwavering commitment to empowering women and communities. She spoke powerfully about the responsibility of leaders to create opportunities that last beyond their time.

“As we look ahead, the next generation of leaders must not inherit our challenges but our courage.”

Her message highlighted the need for intentional mentorship, value-based leadership and institutional building that outlives personalities.

Dr Riria also acknowledged the women who paved the way and those still rising, reminding the audience that transformation requires persistence.

“This recognition is not just for me. It belongs to every woman who has dared to dream, to rise and to lead with courage and conviction across Kenya and across Africa.”

She reflected on the early days of her journey, when women were often excluded from decision-making spaces. Her leadership helped reshape those spaces and create new platforms for women’s voices and agency.

“Leadership spaces were not designed with women in mind, but we learned to create our own tables when we were not invited.”

For more than four decades, Dr Riria has championed women’s economic empowerment, pioneered access to finance for women, strengthened institutions and advanced inclusive leadership across Africa. Her influence continues to guide new generations of leaders and stands as a testament to the power of purpose, resilience and service.

Echo Network Africa Foundation congratulates Dr Jennifer Riria on this well deserved honour and celebrates the legacy she continues to build for women and communities across Africa.

ENAF Celebrates Its Legacy of Women’s Empowerment

Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) was honored to host Ms Nancy Barry, former President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, and Ms Wanjiku Kibūī, an early mentor to Dr Jennifer Riria. Ms Barry supported the re-establishment of KWFT Bank, while Ms Kibūī provided vital tutorship to Dr Riria in financial management during the foundation’s early stages in 1982.

The gathering brought together ENAF’s leadership alongside former and current Board Members, reflecting the organization’s journey from Kenya Women Finance Trust to Kenya Women Holding and today as Echo Network Africa Foundation. Together, they celebrated the legacy that has shaped women’s empowerment in Kenya and beyond.

Dr Riria reflected on the early struggles and sacrifices, recalling, “I spent sleepless nights because this has been my life. I have worked for 43 years to reach this point.” She added that what sustained the institution was the fact that “we had the same vision and the same mission, putting women at the center.”

Ms Barry emphasized the global relevance of that vision, describing KWFT as “one of the beacons of light, not only locally but globally.” She noted that very few organizations worldwide had managed to combine a real connection with women with a focus on efficiency and innovation, and urged today’s leaders to ensure that “the promise made to the women of Kenya is kept now and in generations to come.”

Ms Kibūī recalled her daily mentorship of Dr Riria and her team in the early years, saying, “Every day I would go to her office to train on financial management, accounting and credit. For me, that is empowerment. When you support women it is like putting power in their battery, and everything that God has hidden in them will come out.”

This historic meeting was more than a reunion of pioneers. It was also a call to carry forward their legacy. Change is inevitable in institutions, markets and communities, but the mission of placing women at the center of financial inclusion and empowerment remains unchanged. ENAF continues to carry that vision, ensuring that the promise made to women over four decades ago will live on for generations to come.

ENAF Welcomes New Leadership and Advances Paperless Governance

Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) is pleased to announce key developments following its Board meeting held on 17 September 2025. Ms. Verity Nyagah has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board, with Ms. Joyner Okonjo taking on the role of Vice Chair. This leadership renewal strengthens ENAF’s governance and positions the organization for its next chapter of impact.

The Board Meeting also saw the induction of two new Board members, Ms. Rose Mwenda and Ms. Juliana Rotich whose diverse expertise will enrich the organization’s strategic direction and help drive its mission to empower communities across Africa.

Meanwhile, Dr Nyambura Koigi and Ms Ursula Bahati rotated out and were replaced by Ms Rose And Ms Juliana. As part of good governance practice, Directors of ENAF serve for a Three Year tenure renewable only once .

As part of its ongoing journey in digital transformation and sustainability, the Board has adopted a paperless system to enhance governance processes. This initiative not only improves efficiency but also affirms ENAF’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and supporting climate action.