African leaders are putting women front and center of efforts to drive the continent’s economic growth through a game-changing fund that invests in women fund managers and also provides technical assistance.
The launch of the African Women Leadership Fund (AWLF) will provide capital to both first time and experienced fund managers in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and African Union Agenda 2063.
The ground-breaking partnership, formally signed at the weekend in Addis Ababa between the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa (ECA) and Standard Bank Group, will be transformational in breaking down structural barriers to inclusive investing in Africa.
Over $20 million was raised for the fund on Saturday that has a current goal of $100 million. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda was instrumental in leading the way, pledging $500,000. Senegal’s President Macky Sall committed $500,000. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also pledged to contribute to the fund. The private sector participants pledged the rest.
Who is this for?
- Women finance professionals working in existing funds, banks, NGOs, Incubators, Accelerators and various government bodies
- Women who are graduating or have graduated with finance degrees
- Women entrepreneurs who have a good understanding of venture-backed investment
- Women angel investors who have had experience in investing in various ventures
AWLF has three programmes: the Emerging Manager Seed Capital programme, Fund of Funds programmes and Co-Investment programmes The African Women Leadership Fund will work with and support women-owned and run fund management companies, as well as women-focused impact funds. To do this, the Fund is investing capital and technical assistance financing utilising a technology platform that manages the identification, capacity building, mentorship, support, and investment into women investors & entrepreneurs at scale.
