Janet Okeyo is the founder and principal consultant, Upendo Promotions and Consultancy Services (South Africa), registered in 2001 as a close corporation(CC), providing enterprise development services to Small, Medium Enterprises(SME).

Over the last 20 years, Upendo has provided technical assistance and facilitation to SME programmes, targeting Black-owned enterprises in access to funding, export readiness and business linkages. This has enabled Upendo to build networks and relationships between industry stakeholders and entrepreneurs.

 We are currently part of a panel of business coaches and mentors, under Graca Machel Trust, Women Creating Wealth Programme. Providing technical expertise and support on investor readiness. The programme is designed to empower 10 000 women entrepreneurs in eight African countries, to grow their businesses and create 100,000 jobs in the next five years.

Previous assignments have been undertaken through contracts awarded by government departments, such as Department of Trade and Industry, Black Business Supplier Development Programme (BBSDP), Small Business Development Agency (SEDA), Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism(EDTEA).

Ms Janet Okeyo has Bachelors of Education(Hons), Kenyatta University backed by various training and skills acquired in the industry through working experience in Micro Finance and SME Sector in Kenya and South Africa, respectively. ILO/KYTEC, Krep, World Education -Ntinga, Usaid -SAIBL, among others.