Investor showcase highlights
Graduates of Women Creating Wealth Programme in South Africa
Women-owned businesses globally face significant challenges in accessing finance, according to studies by The World Bank and other institutions. To address this issue, our Women Creating Wealth (WCW), through Afrishela, the Graça Machel Trust Gendered Investment Fund, have been hosting a series of investor showcases for WCW programme graduates. The most recent showcase was held in Johannesburg, South Africa in July and featured presentations from entrepreneurs in diverse sectors such as agribusiness, machinery, electronics, agro-processing, medical and health, tourism, renewable energy, marketing, and education. Participants had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to potential investors.
The Trust's Senior Entrepreneurship Manager, Korkor Cudjoe, emphasised the importance of investor showcasing in helping entrepreneurs refine their business cases for funding. She stated, "The exercise itself builds confidence. We are thrilled with the successful collaboration between WCW and our Gender Lens Investment team, Afrishela. We are excited to see our mission of increasing women's access to capital gradually coming to fruition." At the Trust, we are committed to these initiatives, which are crucial for women entrepreneurs to help build our economy. Fiana Matebula, owner of Mintirho Healthcare and Consulting Services, was one of the entrepreneurs who presented their business. Here is what she shared about her experience. Watch here.
Catch up on another one of the South Africa Investor Showcases here.
Promising Women-Owned Businesses in Uganda
In April this year 11 Ugandan women business owners who had completed the WCW programme participated in an investor showcase which was hosted in collaboration with our Uganda based WCW team in Kampala. The entrepreneurs presented compelling business cases to financiers and ecosystem players.
The session generated enthusiasm and interest, demonstrating that with the right support and guidance, women-owned businesses can offer strong investment opportunities.
Amplifying the voices of women entrepreneurs in Kenya
The Trusts' Investment Director, Andia Chakava, also the Managing Partner of Afrishela (which is supported by the Graça Machel Trust), was one of the panelists during this year's Sankalp Forum. Hosted in February this year in Nairobi, Kenya, the Forum was hosted in collaboration with the International Development Research Center (IDRC). She participated in a panel discussion on "Redistributing Responsibilities: Gender Mainstreaming in Business through Childcare Support." She addressed challenges in labour-intensive sectors, highlighting systemic barriers and the critical role of childcare in boosting women's participation.
Afrishela also hosted a side event at the Sankalp Forum, amplifying the voices of female entrepreneurs and creating connections with investors. Eight women-led businesses presented their investment cases, showcasing innovative solutions in agriculture technologies among others. Read more here: Spotlight on Women Entrepreneurs: Successful Investor Showcase
Supporting Women-Led Solutions in Climate Action
Afrishela is advancing women's roles in climate action by supporting businesses that offer sustainable solutions. In November 2023, Afrishela and Feminvest hosted a Climate and Digital Technology Roundtable, providing a platform for women entrepreneurs to share their innovative approaches. The discussions, which showcased the creativity and determination of these entrepreneurs, addressed challenges like funding and representation while proposing solutions such as networking, mentoring, and increasing women's involvement in green technology. Continuing this work, Afrishela partnered with Rallying Cry for a virtual investor showcase in May 2024. Women-led businesses from Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia presented climate solutions focusing on water management, seed multiplication, food processing, and waste management. These initiatives are key to enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers and low-income communities.
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Afrishela at the Invest in Africa Summit
The Trusts' Investment Director, Andia Chakava, attended the Invest In Africa Summit in Amsterdam in April this year. She spoke at the "Doing Business in Africa" plenary and participated in a roundtable on funding mechanisms to scale sustainable agribusiness in Africa. The summit gathered over 1,000 key economic stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, prominent African leaders, project developers, investors, and entrepreneurs. This engagement is crucial for advancing investment in Africa's sustainable development.
