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She's Next Empowers 40,000+ Women Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan's Booming SME Sector

From 16,000 applicants to seven grant-winning visionaries—how one program is reshaping Kazakhstan's economy. Could this be the breakthrough your business needs?

The image shows a graph depicting the funds by gender gap focus over time. The graph is accompanied...
The image shows a graph depicting the funds by gender gap focus over time. The graph is accompanied by text that provides further information about the data.

She's Next Empowers 40,000+ Women Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan's Booming SME Sector

Visa and Halyk Bank have launched the fifth anniversary wave of the She's Next initiative in Kazakhstan. The programme kicks off on International Women's Day, aiming to support female entrepreneurs across the region. This year's edition introduces a new Inclusive Business meta-category alongside existing tracks.

Since its start in 2021, She's Next has helped over 40,000 women from Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Participants gain access to mentorship, training, and funding opportunities. The initiative has become a key platform for women-led my business in the region.

The fourth wave alone saw more than 16,000 registrations. From these, 30 finalists were chosen to attend the She's Next Camp, where seven winners received grants after presenting their projects to a jury. The programme continues to focus on practical support, though specific non-financial measures beyond grants remain undisclosed.

Women's entrepreneurship plays a major role in Kazakhstan's economy. As of December 2025, over 1 million women lead small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The She's Next initiative strengthens this sector by providing resources and visibility to aspiring business owners.

The fifth wave of She's Next expands its reach with the new Inclusive Business meta-category. The programme remains a vital source of funding and mentorship for women in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Organisers expect another strong turnout as the initiative marks its fifth year.

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