AWI: Unlocking Capital for Emerging Female Investment Vehicle Managers in Africa
Gender diversity is crucial for unlocking Africa’s economic growth and fostering greater inclusion. Yet the investment landscape is skewed, with female investment vehicle managers (IVMs) making up only 7.6% of African investors. A recent survey from the Advancing Women in Investing (AWI) network revealed that 72% of female IVMs in Africa struggle to secure initial funding, leaving them unable to establish a track record of successful investments.
A new report titled “Unlocking Capital for Emerging Female Investment Vehicle Managers in Africa”, funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the Make-IT in Africa programme and co-created by AWI and Maitri Capital, details the unique challenges and opportunities faced by female IVMs across Africa. The report also introduces the innovative PathFunder Warehousing Facility, supported by Small Foundation, which seeks to address barriers female IVMs face for a more inclusive investment landscape.
In 2023, Small Foundation partnered with AWI to help the network deepen member engagement, identify common challenges and catalyse collaborative activities to address systemic barriers faced by women investors within the African investment capital spectrum.
This support included a collaboration with GIZ within the framework of the special initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), towards the design of the PathFunder facility, created to facilitate the access to capital and infrastructure needed for women fund managers to demonstrate their skill, experience, and capacity.
Small Foundation believes this report will be a valuable resource for IVMs, investors, and policymakers alike. We hope it will inspire conversations and drive action towards a more equitable and inclusive future for the African investment ecosystem.
To learn more about the PathFunder Facility and Small Foundation’s broader portfolio of work with IVMs, please contact gerardwynne@smallfoundation.ie
