4G Capital / HerVenture Pilot Case Study - Bancy

Bancy, a young mother of two, owns an electronics shop and a mobile money

agency in a peri-urban town just outside Nairobi. In 2017, she left her accounting position at a supermarket to chase her entrepreneurial dreams, inspired by her brother’s success in the electronics field. Starting modestly, her business thrived, allowing her to open a second location.

However, her maternity leave in 2020 took a toll on her business, and upon her return, she found it nearly in ruins. Lacking capital and inventory, she sought assistance. That’s when the staff at 4G Capital reached out, offering her a collateral-free loan. To her surprise, the process was smooth, and she received $200 the same day, which enabled her to restock her shop and quickly win back her customers.

Tragedy struck again when her business was destroyed by fire just months later. 4G Capital showed compassion for her plight, writing off her loan and promising future support when she was ready to restart. True to their word, a year later, they provided her with funding once more.

Bancy’s partnership with 4G Capital has led to steady growth in her business. She now employs one person and enjoys better rates from suppliers. Thanks to 4G Capital’s training on debt management, savings, and diversification, she expanded her offerings to include furniture, which significantly increased her profits.

Recently, Bancy took advantage of the HerVenture training app during a pilot collaboration between 4GC and the Cherie Blair Foundation. Following the introduction by the 4G team, she enjoyed the app due to its accessibility, allowing her to learn at her own pace and address gaps in her financial knowledge. “Thanks to 4G Capital and HerVenture, women like me now have the tools to thrive in business,” she shares. She noted, “Having a mobile application that provides financial literacy is a game changer. I can learn at my business's convenience, revisit topics, and anticipate further reading. I plan to introduce my 13 year old daughter to the app, as it will be incredibly beneficial for her to gain business knowledge early on.”

She added, “Women are incredibly hardworking and eager to empower themselves; the only thing they lack is the ‘how,’ which is a gap that 4GC and the HerVenture app are addressing. Rarely do institutions invest in financial literacy for women, so I am grateful to 4GC and HerVenture for this significant investment in women in business.”