Articles

Gender lens investing is gaining traction with investors around the globe and Africa is no exception. WSII’s Senior Gender Lens Investing Advisor Suzanne Biegel reflects on discussions and lessons learned at Sankalp Africa Summit, a 2017 gathering of more than 1,000 investors, fund managers, entrepreneurs, and intermediaries focused on building inclusive economies. Along with co-author Isis Nyong’o Madison, she shares key takeaways for reducing barriers and improving the investment ecosystem.

In a tent under the Nairobi sky, we recently gathered for engaging conversation on gender lens investing in early stage and growth businesses in Africa. What are the barriers facing women entrepreneurs? What biases are women entrepreneurs subject to? What types of capital are available – or still needed?

At Sankalp Africa, four powerhouse African women led the discussion: Andia Chakava from New Faces New Voices, Isis Nyong’o Madison founder of Kenyan parenting platform MumsVillage and advisory firm Asphalt & Ink, Wanjiru Kamau Rutenberg from AWARD and GAIA, and Makena Mworia from Kenya Women Holding.

Isis Nyong’o Madison was a panelist at Startup battlefield Africa 2017, adjudicating innovations for Social Good. Other panelists in the same category included:  Shuonan Chen (Agile Venture Capital), Yariv Cohen (Ignite Power, Kaenaat), Tomi Davies (Lagos Angels Network, African Business Angel Network), Alexia Tsotsis (investor and former co-Editor, TechCrunch)

TLcom Capital, the Africa-focussed venture capital firm, yesterday held its inaugural Africa Tech Female Founder Summit. Launched to build a collaborative network of Africa’s female tech founders, over 50 female founders from across Africa including, Odunayo Eweniyi of Piggyvest, Isis Nyong’o of Mum’s Village, Vivien Nwakah of Medsaf and Miishe Addy of Jet Stream, took to the stage to share insights on achieving massive value generation and scale in Africa. Senior female executives from TLcom’s portfolio companies including Twiga Foods, Kobo360, Terragon, Andela, and Ajua were also in attendance.