The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in partnership with UN-Women, the Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, and the African Women Leadership Network, is pleased to launch the online platform for the African Women Leadership Fund (AWLF). The Fund was established under the leadership of Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Chairperson of the African Union. AWLF is an innovative impact investment fund with the vision of empowered women financial leaders as integral to a prosperous Africa. This will be accomplished by developing the next generation of women fund managers to deliver inclusive growth on the Continent.
According to the ECA, a significant gender funding gap exists in financing women fund managers and women entrepreneurs in Africa. If addressed, tapping into the gender opportunity will increase economic output, job creation and prosperity in Africa.
The fund addresses UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality and 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth aimed at first time fund managers through the Emerging Manager Seed Capital programme or experienced women fund managers through the Fund-of-Funds programme.
An accompanying technical assistance facility will fund solutions to structural barriers for inclusive investing such as:
For fund managers: capacity building, direct mentorship, warehousing/ guarantee financing programmes
For entrepreneurs: formalisation of agricultural cooperatives at scale, the use of technology as an enabler in health/ education businesses, institutionalisation of financial processes and governance
Who is this for? The online platform aims to facilitate the identification of talented and aspiring women fund managers along the following broad categories:
Women fund managers, with a track record seeking to raise a fund
Women professionals working in existing funds, banks, NGOs, incubators, accelerators, multilaterals, corporates and various public and private sector bodies
Women who have graduated with degrees in finance, business or other related areas
Women entrepreneurs who have a good understanding of venture-backed investments
Women angel investors who have had experience in investing in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) or early stage businesses
Apply or learn more here:
www.uneca.org/our-work/gender or
https://competitions.potential.com/awlf/
For queries, contact:
Ngone Diop
Chief
Gender Equality & Women's Empowerment Section
Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division (GPSPD)
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: (+251) 11 544 5070
Contact by email: diopn@un.org
Follow the conversation on the following Hashtags:
#AfricanWomenLeadershipFund
#AWLF #ImpactInvestment
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org