Dream Credit Limited founder Lilian Gachoki (left) receiving an award during the Topspin Awards event on March 22, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA

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Kenyan women entrepreneurs have warned of mounting pressure as global shocks tied to US/Israel-Iran war disrupt supply chains, raise costs and threaten business profitability overall levels.

The traders said that businesses that depend on imported raw materials and finished products, especially from the Middle East and Asia, are bearing the brunt of rising shipping, insurance and procurement expenses.

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They said for many women-led businesses that often operate on thinner margins and limited access to credit, the situation is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Dream Credit Limited founder Lilian Gachoki said the pressure could intensify if the conflict persists, further destabilising already fragile global supply chains.She was speaking during the Topspin Awards ceremony.

She said the cost of doing business has risen sharply in recent months, eroding margins for small businesses and forcing difficult decisions on pricing and operations.

“We are already seeing the ripple effects on the ground. The cost of doing business has gone up significantly and for many small enterprises, especially women-led ones, this is becoming unsustainable,” Gachokisaid.

She added that delayed clearing of pending bills by the government compounds the situation for women entrepreneurs supplying goods and services to public institutions, leaving their businesses cash-strapped.

Through Access to Government Procurement Opportunities, the government requires every procuring entity to reserve 30 percent of tenders to women, youths and persons with disabilities.

She urged the government to expedite payments, saying that injecting liquidity into small businesses would help them weather the current economic turbulence.

Kaive International Training College CEO Anita Cheptekei Juma receives an award during Topspin Awards for her impact on skills development on March 21, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA

Rose Ntong’ondu from Make-up by Rose said the cost of imported beauty products and raw materials has nearly doubled in some cases, wiping out profit margins.

She said that many entrepreneurs are now caught between absorbing higher costs or passing them on to consumers at the risk of losing customers.

Ntong’ondu warned that maintaining current prices may not be sustainable for much longer, saying as operational costs continue to rise, businesses may soon be forced to adjust prices upward, potentially triggering an increase in the cost of living.

But Kaive International Training College CEO Anita Juma and Jecinta Njeri from Kemuma Engineering Systems encouraged women to remain bold and proactive, even as the business environment continues to shift.

They stressed the importance of innovation, mentorship and continuous learning in building sustainable businesses.

Juma said that while external factors such as global conflicts are beyond entrepreneurs’ control, business owners must also take responsibility for strengthening their operations.

Njeri echoed calls for persistence, urging women to diversify their streams of income and consider venturing into traditionally male-dominated fields in order to grow their businesses steadily over time.

Amid the uncertainty, real estate stakeholders led by Abdikheir Dubor from Adval Properties Ltd said the market shifts could create favourable conditions for investment as property prices adjust.

He said that periods of economic strain often present openings for investors to acquire assets at relatively lower prices, urging entrepreneurs to diversify income streams to cushion against volatility.

“In every crisis, there is an opportunity. We are seeing shifts in the real estate market that could benefit investors who are ready and informed,” Dubor said.

The prolonged period of hostility between Israel and Iran has been marked by proxy conflicts, sanctions and periodic escalations that have disrupted trade routes and heightened geopolitical risk.

The Middle East is a critical hub for global energy supplies and any instability in the region tends to drive up oil prices which then translates to increased fuel and transportation costs worldwide, affecting all sectors from manufacturing to food distribution.