Hand in Hand Eastern Africa Showcased Impact at Techarena 2026
On February 11–12, Hand in Hand Eastern Africa proudly participated as a Social Impact Partner at Techarena 2026 in Stockholm. The summit brought together entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and policymakers to discuss innovation, capital, and the future of enterprise. For us, the focus was clear: how technology and entrepreneurship can combine to create jobs and reduce poverty.
At our booth, visitors engaged with the Wheel of Change, sparking conversations around digital inclusion, market access, digital finance, women’s entrepreneurship, and sustainable job creation. What began as curiosity often grew into deeper discussions about how practical tools and the right support can unlock real opportunities for people living in economic vulnerability.
Since its inception, the Hand in Hand global network has helped create more than 12.5 million jobs worldwide. At Techarena, the conversations focused on how to scale proven models of entrepreneurship and enterprise support to reach even more communities.
One of the proudest moments for Hand in Hand Eastern Africa was seeing Maureen Njue, one of our star entrepreneurs, represent us on stage at Techarena 2026.
Through Hand in Hand’s training in Kenya, Maureen gained skills in financial management, savings, and business development. She learned to structure her enterprise, understand margins, and plan ahead. With digital training, she mastered tools like WhatsApp Business, Facebook, and TikTok, using live streaming as a sales channel.
Today, Maureen runs a growing chain of beauty salons in Nairobi, employing eleven staff. On stage in Stockholm, she declared with confidence: “I am a proud business woman.”
Her journey reflects the transformative power of combining entrepreneurship with structure, digital tools, and long-term support. As Maureen’s story shows, when jobs are created, they bring stability — for individuals, families, and entire communities.