Gender equality

The facility seeks to improve trade liquidity within Africa, especially for women and youth-run businesses, building on Absa’s extensive network of financial services operations across the continent. 

The new certification programme is focused on evaluating and recognising investors, companies and financial instruments that are working towards greater gender inclusion.

Kashf Foundation is working in a holistic way to do more than just deliver microfinance solutions. It wants to change mindsets, says its founder and managing director, Roshaneh Zafar.

The two national promotional institutions have signed up to a new programme funded by the European Investment Fund aimed at boosting female participation in venture capital and private equity.

The private equity fund will invest in fast-growing SMEs, mainly in North Africa. At least a quarter of the fund’s invested capital is earmarked for women-owned or led businesses.

The 2X Challenge initiative is aiming to push more investment towards empowering women in the workplace, while a key blended finance microfinance project has switched focus to gender-lens investing.

Analysis from European Women in VC, Founders Forum Group and Tech Nation has highlighted the need for more institutional investment into European venture capital.

The Esade Center for Social Impact has published a study on gender strategies in investing, looking at how European investment firms can move from awareness to action.

The investment structure ties the pricing of the loan to the achievement of measurable development goals.

The fund, supported by several European development finance institutions, will make up to 12 investments, including funding for the Indian microfinance sector.