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 […]
AVPA Welcomes Precious Wilson Nkandu as Chief Operating Officer
The African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Precious Wilson Nkandu as Chief Operating Officer, bringing nearly two decades of cross-continental leadership experience in strategy, operations, resource mobilisation, and impact investment. Nkandu joins AVPA at a pivotal time as the organisation continues to advance its mission of mobilising capital for […]
Reimagining Impact: Lessons from the 2025 Skoll World Forum
By Sharon Lwane, Communications Manager, AVPA The 2025 Skoll World Forum held from April 1st-4th in Oxford, UK, convened social innovators and change leaders committed to advancing global equity. This year’s theme, “Together We Can Mend What is Broken,” focused on addressing pressing global challenges while highlighting some of the most promising and impactful solutions. […]
Enhancing Africa’s Ability to Future Proof Itself Against Future Shocks
By AVPA CEO Dr. Frank Aswani Africa’s vulnerabilities Over the past five years, Africa has faced three significant crises, each highlighting the continent’s vulnerabilities. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed our limited vaccine production capacity, placing us at the end of the queue for vaccine supplies. The Russia-Ukraine war underscored our heavy reliance on food […]
Powering Up Africa’s Youth – An Army of Global Health and Wealth Creators
“Health is often taken for granted until sickness arrives.” The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to an unprecedented standstill in March 2020. Schools shut their doors, international travel was halted, curfews were imposed, and countless businesses, including hotels and restaurants, closed. Employees faced layoffs, hospitals brimmed to capacity, and everyone, regardless of location, turned to […]
The State Of Agricultural Financing In Africa
Over 122 million more people have been facing hunger in the world since 2019 due to the pandemic and repeated weather shocks and conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. With a global population of 7.9 billion people, it implies one in every 65 people is facing hunger. This poses a significant threat to achieving SDG […]
Unlocking The Africa Economic Potential: How Blended Finance Can Shape the Continent’s Growth
Africa stands at the precipice of an economic renaissance. Its undeniable growth potential is fueled by diverse factors that place it at the heart of future global economic trends. With a burgeoning population of over 1.4 billion, the continent is not just a vast market but also a reservoir of immense human capital. The headline […]
The State of Innovative Finance in South Africa
South Africa’s SDG Index Score is 63.7 out of 100, ranking 108 out of 163 countries, and is only on track to achieve two SDGs (gender equality and responsible consumption and production) by 2030. The country continues to struggle with social challenges, from rising youth unemployment, and strains on its utility infrastructure, particularly in the electricity and water sectors, […]