Harnessing Africa’s Creative Economy: A New Horizon for Impact Investing
In the ever-evolving landscape of impact investing, one sector is emerging with compelling potential—Africa’s Creative Economy. The Creative Economy is defined by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as being those sectors at the nexus of creativity, knowledge, and technology. It is comprised of diverse sectors including audio-visual media (like film and […]
Hope in adversity: A case for refugee financial inclusion (Last round of review)
No one dreams of displacement, yet unforeseen events can quickly upend lives. Whether it’s the armed conflict in Sudan, the devastating Russia-Ukraine standoff, or the growing incidents of flooding and drought driven by climate change, such crises compel countless people to leave their homes. By 2050, projections suggest that East Africa alone could see as […]
Impact Investment in Healthcare: The Case for Africa and the Underlying Gains
Big transitions, bold solutions, collective power, systematic change. These themes set the stage for the upcoming Impact Forum, a global impact investing event by the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN). Within the African context, however, one must question if we have truly experienced the transformative power of impact investment, especially in crucial sectors like healthcare. […]
Future-Proofing Africa; Why It’s Time to Invest in Resilience and Innovation
Africa stands at a crucial crossroads. On one side is the legacy of aid dependence and fragmented development efforts; on the other, a bold new vision: one driven by innovation, catalytic capital, and African-led solutions for long-term resilience and growth. At the core of this shift is the growing understanding that safeguarding Africa’s future requires […]
The $42 Billion Gap: Why Gender-Smart Investing Must Go Deeper
Across the continent, women are holding up entire industries, from township stalls to tech startups, from rural agriculture to green infrastructure. They are building, selling, creating jobs, and sustaining livelihoods. But there is a disconnect: while women are powering Africa’s economies, they’re largely locked out of the capital needed to scale their work. That’s not […]
Africa’s 50Billion Dollar Question: Will We Invest in Our Youth?
Africa is at a pivotal moment. Recent global disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, to sharp declines in foreign aid, have exposed the continent’s structural vulnerabilities. At the same time, Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with over 60% under the age of 25. As development aid shrinks by an estimated […]
How AI Can Unlock Africa’s $15.7 Trillion Opportunity
Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers Africa a new and inspiring opportunity to move forward alongside the rest of the world, shaping its path and contributing to steering the future in a positive direction. With a median age of 19.3, Africa boasts one of the youngest populations globally, a demographic that is a goldmine for technology, innovation, […]
Beyond the Numbers: Strengthening Impact Transparency in Africa
As Africa navigates a rapidly shifting funding landscape, impact transparency has never been more critical. Global aid is declining, and traditional funding sources are under pressure. This shifting terrain compels us to answer a critical question: How can African economies pivot from aid dependency toward locally anchored, sustainable development models? This will be a defining […]
Why Future-Proofing Africa Matters: The 2025 AVPA Conference
In November 2025, global leaders in finance, philanthropy, government, and innovation will gather in Nairobi for the 2025 AVPA Conference. These leaders will be united by a single mission: to future-proof Africa. Themed “Future-Proofing Africa: Driving Sustainable Investments and Innovations for Resilient Growth,” this year’s convening is more than a dialogue. It is a strategic […]
Uncomfortable truths about achieving gender equity in Africa’s diverse investment landscape
By Southern Africa Regional Director, AVPA – Matebe Chisiza Last month, the Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) hosted a landmark conversation on gender-smart investing, one that went beyond the usual talking points. Rather than rehashing the business case for investing in women, the webinar surfaced fresh, and even uncomfortable truths about what’s needed to achieve […]