FSD Africa

Women aren’t risk-averse. They’re risk-aware. Yet, despite their resilience and innovation, access to finance remains one of the biggest barriers holding women entrepreneurs back. We are accelerating action to bridge the finance gap for women entrepreneurs by spotlighting the power of gender bonds—a financial tool that channels capital directly into women-led businesses, particularly in underserved communities. When women have access to finance, economies grow, families thrive and industries evolve. As part of this effort, we have supported the issuance of gender bonds for the first time in countries such as Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, and Tanzania—unlocking new opportunities and driving inclusive economic growth. In a recent conversation with Tolulope Babajide, MBA, Manager, Gender, FSD Network, we discussed strategic partnerships that are essential to ensuring sustainable investment in women entrepreneurs across Africa. With women making up almost half of the continent’s population, the need for targeted, high-impact investments has never been more urgent. By investing in women, we invest in a stronger and more inclusive future. -- #MakingFinanceWork #GenderLensInvesting #FinancialInclusion #AccelerateAction -- Evans Osano, DBA, Jemima Gathumi, Mary M. Njuguna, Adebayo Araoye, Joy V. Kendi, Lilian Bwire, Angela Atherton, CFA, FRM, Sally Woolhouse, Eyong Beatrice, Marypat Thenell Smucker, CFA, Kate Perkins, Qing Xu, Sophie Mills. -- Parallelle Finance, UN Women, British International Investment, FSD Network, LuxDev.

Great ideas need the right support to thrive. In 2023, Kacha was among 23 ventures from 10 African countries selected for FSD Africa’s BimaLab Insurtech Accelerator Programme. This opportunity enabled Kacha | ካቻ to refine its business strategy and enhance its approach to insurance technology. Through BimaLab’s venture-building support, Kacha | ካቻ gained valuable insights into customer-focused product design, risk assessment and industry best practices and refined their insurtech product offering. Recognising the potential in insurtech, Kacha | ካቻ has since developed premium financing products and partnerships and vehicle insurance solutions tailored to Ethiopia’s market. Are you ready to drive innovation in Africa’s insurtech landscape and contribute to building the continent’s resilience? 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗕𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻! 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dFNEXKFd -- #BimaLabAfrica #Insurtech #ClimateResilience #Innovation #Startups #FundingOpportunity #ScaleYourImpact -- Kelvin Massingham, Elias Omondi, Titus Kisenga, Monicah Gatonye, Elizabeth Njambi. -- Swiss Re, FSD Network.

As 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 approaches, we continue to underscore the crucial role of strategic investment in advancing financial inclusion and driving sustainable economic growth for women. According to UN Women, if current trends persist, an estimated 𝟯𝟰𝟮.𝟰 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 women and girls, 8% of the global female population, will still be surviving on less than $2.15 a day by 2030, with the majority (𝟮𝟮𝟬.𝟵 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻) in sub-Saharan Africa. To change this reality, we need innovative and transformative financing solutions that drive economic empowerment and close persistent gender gaps in healthcare, education, technology and political representation. #GenderBonds offer a promising tool for capital providers seeking to make a real impact. We spoke with Mary M. Njuguna, Principal Specialist, Capital Markets, who highlighted the importance of ensuring the Gender Bonds Toolkit is not just a document but a practical, market-driven resource that helps issuers bring gender bonds to market. 📹 Watch the full video. -- #MakingFinanceWork #GenderLensInvesting #FinancialInclusion #AccelerateAction #IWD2025 -- Evans Osano, DBA, Jemima Gathumi, Adebayo Araoye, Joy V. Kendi, Lilian Bwire, Angela Atherton, CFA, FRM, Sally Woolhouse, Eyong Beatrice, Marypat Thenell Smucker, CFA, Kate Perkins, Qing Xu, Sophie Mills, Tolulope Babajide, MBA. -- Parallelle Finance, British International Investment, FSD Network, LuxDev.

Gender bonds have made significant progress since their slow start in 2013. By March 2020, 13 global issuances were highlighted in 𝗩𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗦𝗔: 𝗔 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁—a study by #FSDAfrica in partnership with UN Women. Since then, momentum has been steadily building across the African continent. Recently, at our in-country dissemination event in Lagos, Nigeria, we engaged key stakeholders to explore market-specific insights. As Katharine Tengtio, Gender and Diversity Finance Manager at British International Investment, highlighted, there is growing momentum around innovative financing solutions such as gender bonds designed to direct capital towards women’s economic participation. With increasing technical expertise in gender data tracking and impact measurement, the market is well-positioned for action. We are committed to equipping potential issuers with the tools and technical guidance to bring #GenderBonds to market. By fostering collaboration across the financial ecosystem, we can drive meaningful transactions that support women’s economic empowerment. 📹 Watch the full video below. -- #MakingFinanceWork #GenderLensInvesting #FinancialInclusion #AccelerateAction -- Evans Osano, DBA, Jemima Gathumi, Mary M. Njuguna, Adebayo Araoye, Joy V. Kendi, Lilian Bwire, Angela Atherton, CFA, FRM, Sally Woolhouse, Eyong Beatrice, Marypat Thenell Smucker, CFA, Kate Perkins, Qing Xu, Sophie Mills, Tolulope Babajide, MBA. -- Parallelle Finance, UN Women, British International Investment, FSD Network, LuxDev.

🌍 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗕𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿! BimaLab Africa is on a mission to empower startups that are creating scalable insurtech solutions for vulnerable communities in Africa. As climate change, natural disasters, economic and health shocks intensify, bridging the protection gap has never been more urgent. We’re looking for 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 across all stages of growth with a vision to shape the future of resilience in Africa. If you’re ready to scale, connect and transform, apply now! 🌟 What’s on offer?  ✅ Funding opportunities ✅ Expert mentorship ✅ Global networking opportunities ✅ Tailored growth strategies ✅ Key industry connections If you're ready to make an impact and drive change in the insurtech landscape, 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄! 🌱 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dFNEXKFd -- #BimaLabAfrica #Insurtech #ClimateResilience #Innovation #Startups #FundingOpportunity #ScaleYourImpact -- Kelvin Massingham, Elias Omondi, Titus Kisenga, Monicah Gatonye, Elizabeth Njambi, Maria Karuru-Mwangi. -- Swiss Re, FSD Network.

Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs) play a vital role in global Climate action, yet many small-scale projects face significant barriers to entry, including high costs and a lack of transparency. Carbon Value Exchange aims to address these challenges by creating a more accessible and efficient marketplace for #CarbonCredits. In an article called, “𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗫 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆,” authors Nzomo Mbithuka. CDFP,MBA,PhD-Ongoing., Manager Early-Stage Finance at #FSDAfrica and Jon Ridley COO of Carbon Value Exchange, explore the issues confronting VCMs and how Cavex is working to empower small projects through digital tools and a transparent platform. 📖 Read the full story on our website to discover how Cavex is reshaping the landscape of #CarbonMarkets and paving the way for a #sustainable future: https://lnkd.in/eHwxztYu -- #MakingFinanceWork #ClimateAction #SustainableFinance -- Juliet Munro, Reshma Shah, Mary Kashangaki, Kuria Wanjau, Winnie Mokaya, Shannon Wangwe.

📍 Cape Town, South Africa – Finance in Common Summit 2025 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 is shaping the future of sustainable finance, bridging the gap between climate action, biodiversity conservation and economic resilience. As highlighted in global discussions at COP29 Azerbaijan and the G20, 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 is emerging as a transformative solution, integrating biodiversity into climate resilience strategies. Dorothy Maseke ,CFIRM, Head of African Natural Capital Alliance Secretariat and Africa Lead for Nature Finance and TNFD at #FSDAfrica, will lead a high-impact discussion on unlocking nature finance. The session will focus on aligning financial mechanisms with the 𝗞𝘂𝗻𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, driving innovation and creating an enabling environment for sustainable investment. The conversation will explore how nature as infrastructure can enhance climate resilience, how enabling finance can support innovation and regulatory frameworks and how global collaboration can mobilise capital to achieve biodiversity goals. -- #MakingFinanceWork #NatureFinance #FinanceInCommon2025 #SustainableGrowth -- Anne-Marie Chidzero, Biggie Tangane, Hosborn Wamukoya, Evans Osano, DBA, Mark Napier -- NatureFinance, KfW, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), World Economic Forum, International Development Finance Club (IDFC), The Nature Conservancy, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), WWF South Africa.

Despite growing interest in Africa’s 𝗼𝗳𝗳-𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, investment has slowed over the past five years. Without significant progress in scaling up financing, 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝟲𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 across the continent could still be without electricity by 2030. We recently spoke with Roeland Menger, Head of Capital at Nithio, who shared insights on closing both the funding and power gaps. Nithio FI, an 𝗙𝗦𝗗 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲, is addressing this challenge by applying AI-driven credit risk assessments and cash flow forecasting to direct capital towards scalable, sustainable energy solutions. By standardising credit risk, Nithio is helping off-grid solar companies attract investment, ultimately expanding access to clean, reliable energy in Kenya🇰🇪, Nigeria🇳🇬 and Uganda🇺🇬. 📹 Watch the full discussion to learn more about driving impactful energy investment. -- #MakingFinanceWork #EnergyAccess #ImpactInvesting -- Anne-Marie Chidzero, Amos Gachuiri, Beatrice Mubia, Stephen K. Macharia, Zee de Gersigny, Judith Nekesa, May Yego, Keziah Kibata, Alphonce Mwangi, Olasunkanmi Olafare, Ian Muiru, Golda Bagaja, Waithera Njiiri, Loreen Njeri, Nicolas Kirui, Sharon Chweya, Kweku A., Juliet Munro, Reshma Shah, Mary Kashangaki, Kuria Wanjau, Winnie Mokaya, Shannon Wangwe . -- Kate Steel, Raghav Sachdeva, CFA, Noel Amoit, Madeleine Gleave, Dan Bierenbaum, Noel Agbegha, ACA.

ANCA at the Finance in Common Summit 2025 | Cape Town, South Africa Join us as we work with global leaders to drive investments in nature and biodiversity. 🔍 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Nature and Biodiversity: Unlocking Investments and Finance at Scale Dorothy Maseke ,CFIRM will be moderating this pivotal session. She will lead discussions on innovative financial mechanisms, creating enabling environments for nature finance, and aligning global initiatives with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We’ll also explore: 🔹𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 – Scaling projects that integrate biodiversity into climate resilience. 🔹𝐄𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 – Tools like biocredits, natural capital valuation, and public-private partnerships. 🔹𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Mobilizing institutions, MDBs, and private capital to meet biodiversity targets. 🔗 Register for #FiCS here: https://lnkd.in/gagpCj_m 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯. -- NatureFinance, KfW, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), World Economic Forum, International Development Finance Club (IDFC), The Nature Conservancy, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), WWF South Africa

A world free from poverty and thriving on a liveable planet is possible with a partnership-driven approach to development. FSD Africa Investments works with governments, businesses and investors to channel capital into sustainable projects, benefiting women and girls across #Africa. With over a decade of UK support, we’ve improved access to energy, healthcare and housing for 𝟲𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬+ people and helped 𝟭𝟮𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 adapt to climate change. Learn more on how partnerships are driving impact and learn more about how finance is shaping Africa's future: https://lnkd.in/eJW-NAxt -- #MakingFinanceWork #FSDAi #ImpactInvesting #DevelopmentImpact -- Anne-Marie Chidzero, Amos Gachuiri, Beatrice Mubia, Stephen K. Macharia, Zee de Gersigny, Judith Nekesa, May Yego, Keziah Kibata, Alphonce Mwangi, Olasunkanmi Olafare, Ian Muiru, Golda Bagaja, Waithera Njiiri, Loreen Njeri, Sharon Chweya, Kweku A. -- Anneliese Dodds, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.