Mastercard Strive | Kenya
The first online community for entrepreneurs in the informal economy
Our Focus
Despite young Kenyans’ reliance on and contribution to the informal economy, the education system does little to equip them for it. Schools still prepare young people for a formal working world that is simply unavailable to them. To empower these young people to build thriving small businesses, Mastercard Strive has partnered with MESH, the first online community for entrepreneurs in the informal economy. Part of the Shujaaz Inc. network of social ventures, MESH combines business skills programs with peer-to-peer networking and role-model mentoring. As part of the MESH community, members can access an extensive library of peer training videos and connect with peers and mentors with complementary skills or interests.
Our Approach
We help small businesses to overcome three common roadblocks:
Get capital
By funding community financial institutions including local banks, minority depository institutions, and credit unions, we make it easier for businesses to get the funding they need, when and where they need it.
Go digital
We connect small businesses with mission-driven technology partners and unlock access to essential digital tools that will help them eliminate bottlenecks, gain efficiencies, and access new markets.
Grow networks and know-how
Through local and national partnerships, we connect small businesses with expert organizations to develop new skills and grow their capabilities.
Our Goal
Mastercard Strive has supported the development, growth, and the creation of training tools that were unavailable to young entrepreneurs.
By the Numbers
Our Programs
Featured Program
MESH: The first online community for entrepreneurs in the informal economy
An expanding network for micro retailers, connecting them to market opportunities, a thriving community of peers and mentors, and access to credit.
Kenya
Our Partners
Articles & Insights
Designing, activating, and empowering a digital community of informal micro-entrepreneurs
Lessons and best practices from MESH, a powerful digital community positively addressing the needs of informal micro-entrepreneurs.
Lessons learned from building the first social media platform for micro-entrepreneurs
In 2021, MESH joined forces with Mastercard Strive to implement an ambitious program aimed to understand and address the unique challenges and needs of informal micro-entrepreneurs, including supporting them to digitize their businesses and gain access to online markets.
This Kenyan small business platform is built for the hustle
When business at Kivaya Josiah’s three cybercafes in Kenya dried up during the pandemic, he needed to hustle for new ways to make a living.
KAstar
MESH small business user
I have been on MESH for more than two years and so far the journey has been good. In terms of business, I have better strategies on how to handle business, like record keeping, savings, customer retention, customer feedback, and many more. Through posting my hustle daily, I have also gotten a lot of customers. I can't wait to see what the future holds for me on MESH.
