Thriving in a Tough Economy

Cover page

Event name

Thriving in a Tough Economy

Theme or tagline

Stretch your shilling, grow your income, work online

Event date

Thu, 29 Jul 2027 · 2:00–3:30 pm EAT

Venue

Online, hosted on Karibu by Cara

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About the event

Purpose of the event

To help households, workers and small businesses in Kenya and across Africa cope with high living costs and grow their income, by connecting them with banks, SACCOs, development partners, food-security and consumer programmes, online work platforms and financial educators. The session turns the conversation into real introductions.

Objectives

1. Share practical ways to manage household and business costs: budgeting, bulk and group buying, energy and transport savings. 2. Explain how to save, borrow and avoid debt traps, including digital loans, SACCOs and chamas. 3. Show realistic ways to add income: side businesses, value addition and online work. 4. Connect people with lenders, savings groups, food-security programmes, online work platforms and training providers. 5. Advance SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Background

High inflation has squeezed household budgets across Kenya and much of Africa. Families are cutting meals, borrowing from costly digital lenders and struggling to keep small businesses afloat. Support, savings products and new ways to earn exist, including online work, but they rarely reach the people who need them most. This session brings both sides into one room.

Expected outcomes

Consented matchmaking introductions between households, workers, small businesses, lenders, savings groups, programmes and online work platforms, sent within five working days; a practical checklist for stretching the household and business budget; and a recording and short summary shared with every registrant.

Target audience

Households and young families, salaried and informal workers, small businesses and traders, chamas and SACCOs, banks and microfinance institutions, food-security and consumer programmes, online work platforms, financial educators, development partners and the public, in Kenya and across Africa.

Welcome message

Event highlights

Key themes

Managing household and business costs; saving, borrowing wisely and avoiding debt traps; food security on a budget; side businesses and value addition; earning through online work.

Networking opportunities

B2B matchmaking closes the session: tell us at registration whether you are a household, worker, small business, lender, savings group, programme or online work platform, and what you need or offer. With your consent, Karibu suggests introductions and sends them within five working days.

Exhibitions

Solution showcase: 3–4 savings, lending, food-security and online work providers present practical ways to stretch the budget and grow income.

Event programme

Panel discussions

Sponsors and partners

Brief acknowledgement

This session is made possible by partners who believe practical solutions should reach the people who need them.

Venue information

Venue overview

This is an online event. Confirmed delegates receive the joining link by email and on their Karibu pass. Please join a few minutes before 2:00 pm East Africa Time to test your audio and video.

Hall names

Online main stage

Networking information

Business matchmaking sessions

Every session closes with B2B matchmaking (3:20–3:30 pm EAT). At registration, tell us whether you are a household, worker, small business, lender, SACCO or chama, food-security programme, online work platform, development partner or member of the public, and what you need or offer. Publish your business profile in the Networking tab, browse the directory and request one-to-one meetings. With your consent, introductions are sent within five working days.

Important information

Registration desk hours

Registration is free and open on Karibu until the session starts. All times are East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3).

Emergency contacts

Event support: events@cara.co.ke · +254 719 822 888

Accessibility information

Join from any phone, tablet or computer. The session is recorded, and the recording and a short summary are shared with all registrants afterwards.

Security guidelines

Your data is handled on Karibu by Cara, certified by Kenya's Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Matchmaking introductions are made only with your consent. The conversation is moderated, respectful and non-political.

Event contacts

Secretariat office or organisation

Events by Cara

General phone numbers

Events by Cara: +254 719 822 888

General email address

General enquiries: events@cara.co.ke

Website

https://www.cara.co.ke