Africa: Unlocking Possibilities - How WCW Is Transforming Access to Finance

In 2024, the combined efforts of the Graça Machel Trust's Women Creating Wealth (WCW) programme and Afrishela's gender-lens investment initiatives unlocked over US$5 million in funding pipelines for women entrepreneurs--proving that when access to capital is matched with the right support systems, finance becomes a powerful driver of transformation.

Access to finance remains one of the biggest barriers for women in business. WCW is breaking through this barrier by integrating multiple pathways to capital--ranging from strategic partnerships and investment readiness support to grant facilitation and blended finance. These approaches ensure that entrepreneurs not only access funds but are equipped to use them effectively for long-term growth.

Through enterprise development grants, gender-lens investment vehicles, and financial education initiatives, WCW is helping women build credible business cases, navigate due diligence, and engage with investors confidently. High-impact sectors such as agriculture have also received tailored financial support, opening up new opportunities in value chains often overlooked.

Beyond traditional finance, WCW is nurturing grassroots financial resilience. Through a community savings and lending model rooted in trust and mutual support - stokvels - entrepreneurs are creating their own safety nets and capital reserves, reinforcing a culture of collaboration and self-reliance.

The programme's strength lies in its holistic approach: combining funding readiness training with coaching, mentorship, ecosystem linkages, and a strong sense of community. This integrated model enables women to take bold steps, invest in growth, and build businesses that last.

From unlocking over US$5 million in funding pipelines to cultivating homegrown stokvel savings circles, WCW and Afrishela are rewriting the narrative on women's access to finance. By combining capital access with ecosystem support and a deep culture of belief, they're unlocking more than funding--they're unlocking possibility.

Key Voices:

"The irrigation support valued at (US$11,600) I received allowed me to increase my yields and reduce costs, significantly boosting my profits." -- Participant from Malawi

Read the original article on Graça Machel Trust.