{"id":3289,"date":"2022-09-19T13:19:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T13:19:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avadawebsites.wpengine.com\/business\/?page_id=5"},"modified":"2026-04-27T11:10:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T11:10:52","slug":"our-work","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/our-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

Investing in Women-Led Businesses Solving Africa\u2019s Greatest Challenges.<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

We invest in women-led enterprises in Africa working at the intersection of climate resilience, livelihoods, and inclusive growth \u2014 where economic opportunity meets real-world impact.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Backing Women Solving Africa\u2019s Most Pressing Challenges.<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

We invest in women-led enterprises in Africa working at the intersection of climate resilience, livelihoods, and inclusive growth \u2014 where economic opportunity meets real-world impact.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Who we work with<\/h2><\/div>

Afrishela supports businesses addressing the intersection of climate vulnerability, livelihood insecurity, food insecurity, and health burdens across East and Southern Africa.<\/p>\n

We invest in gender-responsive, climate-smart enterprises that enable African women and marginalised communities to drive \u2014 and benefit from \u2014 climate adaptation and mitigation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Who We Work With<\/h2><\/div>

Afrishela supports businesses addressing the intersection of climate vulnerability, livelihood insecurity, food insecurity, and health burdens across East and Southern Africa.<\/p>\n

We invest in gender-responsive, climate-smart enterprises that enable African women and marginalised communities to drive \u2014 and benefit from \u2014 climate adaptation and mitigation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Investment Eligibility Criteria<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Investment Eligibility Criteria<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Stage and turnover Requirements<\/h5><\/div>
We work with companies with:<\/h5><\/div>
  • <\/i><\/span>
    \n

    At least three years of operations<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • <\/i><\/span>
    \n

    Cash-flow positive<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • <\/i><\/span>
    \n

    Minimum annual turnover of USD 60,000<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • <\/i><\/span>
    \n

    Domiciled in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa or Zambia.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Women Ownership & Leadership Criteria<\/h5><\/div>
    • <\/i><\/span>
      \n

      \u226550% women ownership or significant co-founder stake, with balanced leadership teams<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

    • <\/i><\/span>
      \n

      40\u201360% women representation in senior roles<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

    • <\/i><\/span>
      \n

      Businesses that actively support women as employees, suppliers, or consumers<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

    • <\/i><\/span>
      \n

      Enterprises delivering products or services that improve the lives of women and children while strengthening community sustainability.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

      Climate resilience<\/h5><\/div>
      • <\/i><\/span>
        \n

        Businesses that build climate resilience and address the social impacts of climate change<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

      • <\/i><\/span>
        \n

        Climate-smart solutions in agriculture, energy, water systems, and related sectors<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

        Investment Eligibility Criteria<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
        Stage and Turnover Requirements<\/h5><\/div>
        We work with companies with:<\/h5><\/div>
        • <\/i><\/span>
          \n

          At least three years of operations<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • <\/i><\/span>
          \n

          Cash-flow positive<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • <\/i><\/span>
          \n

          Minimum annual turnover of USD 60,000<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • <\/i><\/span>
          \n

          Domiciled in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa or Zambia.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

          Women Ownership & Leadership Criteria<\/h5><\/div>
          • <\/i><\/span>
            \n

            \u226550% women ownership or significant co-founder stake, with balanced leadership teams<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

          • <\/i><\/span>
            \n

            40\u201360% women representation in senior roles<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

          • <\/i><\/span>
            \n

            Businesses that actively support women as employees, suppliers, or consumers<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

          • <\/i><\/span>
            \n

            Enterprises delivering products or services that improve the lives of women and children while strengthening community sustainability.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

            Climate Resilience<\/h5><\/div>
            • <\/i><\/span>
              \n

              Businesses that build climate resilience and address the social impacts of climate change<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

            • <\/i><\/span>
              \n

              Climate-smart solutions in agriculture, energy, water systems, and related sectors<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

              What We Offer<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

              We deliver a blended solution combining impact investment capital, hands-on technical assistance, and ecosystem advocacy for women-led businesses across Africa.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

              What We Offer<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

              We deliver a blended solution combining impact investment capital, hands-on technical assistance, and ecosystem advocacy for women-led businesses across Africa.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

              <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

              Capital<\/h2><\/div>

              Tailored financing of USD 20,000\u2013500,000 including:<\/p>\n<\/div>

              • <\/i><\/span>
                \n

                Revenue-based finance and mezzanine loans<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

              • <\/i><\/span>
                \n

                Impact-linked debt<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

              • <\/i><\/span>
                \n

                Preference shares or equity<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

              • <\/i><\/span>
                \n

                Designed for irregular cash flows and low-collateral business realities<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                Technical Assistance \u2013 Post-Investment Value Creation<\/h2><\/div>

                Post-investment support focused on value creation through:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                • <\/i><\/span>
                  \n

                  Market readiness and expansion<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                • <\/i><\/span>
                  \n

                  Governance and leadership strengthening<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                • <\/i><\/span>
                  \n

                  Impact measurement and ESG reporting guidance<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                • <\/i><\/span>
                  \n

                  Operational efficiency and financial management.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                  <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                  Visibility and Investor Networks<\/h2><\/div>

                  We expand access to capital by:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                  • <\/i><\/span>
                    \n

                    Hosting investor showcases across the continent<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                  • <\/i><\/span>
                    \n

                    Convening entrepreneur roundtables and masterclasses on investor expectations and capital suitability<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                  • <\/i><\/span>
                    \n

                    Deal flow facilitation and co-investment opportunities with impact investors and funders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                    <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                    Advocacy \u2013 Reshaping Finance for African Women<\/h2><\/div>

                    Afrishela champions increased capital allocation to women fund managers in Africa and works to redefine how risk is assessed in African markets:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                    • <\/i><\/span>
                      \n

                      Challenge outdated risk models that exclude women<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                    • <\/i><\/span>
                      \n

                      Promote gender-lens investing as standard practice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                    • <\/i><\/span>
                      \n

                      Share evidence and best practice to shift market and policy behaviour.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                      <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                      Capital<\/h2><\/div>

                      Tailored financing of USD 20,000\u2013500,000 including:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                      • <\/i><\/span>
                        \n

                        Revenue-based finance and mezzanine loans<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                      • <\/i><\/span>
                        \n

                        Impact-linked debt<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                      • <\/i><\/span>
                        \n

                        Preference shares or equity<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                      • <\/i><\/span>
                        \n

                        Designed for irregular cash flows and low-collateral business realities<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                        <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                        Technical Assistance \u2013 Post-Investment Value Creation<\/h2><\/div>

                        Post-investment support focused on value creation through:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                        • <\/i><\/span>
                          \n

                          Market readiness and expansion<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                        • <\/i><\/span>
                          \n

                          Governance and leadership strengthening<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                        • <\/i><\/span>
                          \n

                          Impact measurement and ESG reporting guidance<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                        • <\/i><\/span>
                          \n

                          Operational efficiency and financial management.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                          <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                          Visibility and Investor Networks<\/h2><\/div>

                          We expand access to capital by:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                          • <\/i><\/span>
                            \n

                            Hosting investor showcases across the continent<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                          • <\/i><\/span>
                            \n

                            Convening entrepreneur roundtables and masterclasses on investor expectations and capital suitability<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                          • <\/i><\/span>
                            \n

                            Deal flow facilitation and co-investment opportunities with impact investors and funders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                            <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                            Advocacy \u2013 Reshaping Finance for African Women<\/h2><\/div>

                            Afrishela champions increased capital allocation to women fund managers in Africa and works to redefine how risk is assessed in African markets:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                            • <\/i><\/span>
                              \n

                              Challenge outdated risk models that exclude women<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                            • <\/i><\/span>
                              \n

                              Promote gender-lens investing as standard practice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                            • <\/i><\/span>
                              \n

                              Share evidence and best practice to shift market and policy behaviour.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              Alternative credit assessment framework<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              \u201cWhen loans require land as collateral in a country where less than 20% of women own land, we\u2019re not assessing risk\u2014we\u2019re enforcing exclusion.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

                              Afrishela\u2019s Alternative Credit Assessment Framework reimagines credit scoring to expand access for women entrepreneurs and underserved SMEs in Africa.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              Alternative credit assessment framework<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              \u201cWhen loans require land as collateral in a country where less than 20% of women own land, we\u2019re not assessing risk\u2014we\u2019re enforcing exclusion.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

                              Afrishela\u2019s Alternative Credit Assessment Framework reimagines credit scoring to expand access for women entrepreneurs and underserved SMEs in Africa.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              Why traditional financing fails women<\/h2><\/div>

                              Rigid collateral demands, inflexible structures, and biased scoring models hinder women\u2019s access to capital, fuelling a USD 42 billion financing gap for African women-owned SMEs (IFC, 2024).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              Why Traditional Financing Fails Women<\/h2><\/div>

                              Rigid collateral demands, inflexible structures, and biased scoring models hinder women\u2019s access to capital, fuelling a USD 42 billion financing gap for African women-owned SMEs (IFC, 2024).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                              Our framework \u2013 the 3 R\u2019s<\/h2><\/div>

                              Afrishela\u2019s Alternative Credit Assessment Framework gives financial institutions practical tools to unlock lending for women:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                              • <\/i><\/span>
                                \n

                                Reframing Collateral:<\/strong> Recognising movable assets such as equipment, inventory, future sales, and collective guarantees.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                              • <\/i><\/span>
                                \n

                                Re-evaluating Risk Scoring:<\/strong> Valuing strong repayment histories, business fundamentals, and founder experience.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                              • <\/i><\/span>
                                \n

                                Responsive Support:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0Aligning pre- and post-investment support with risk insights and deploying innovative instruments to manage both real and perceived risk.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                Our Framework \u2013 the 3 R\u2019s<\/h2><\/div>

                                Afrishela\u2019s Alternative Credit Assessment Framework gives financial institutions practical tools to unlock lending for women:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                                • <\/i><\/span>
                                  \n

                                  Reframing Collateral:<\/strong> Recognising movable assets such as equipment, inventory, future sales, and collective guarantees.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                • <\/i><\/span>
                                  \n

                                  Re-evaluating Risk Scoring:<\/strong> Valuing strong repayment histories, business fundamentals, and founder experience.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                • <\/i><\/span>
                                  \n

                                  Responsive Support:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0Aligning pre- and post-investment support with risk insights and deploying innovative instruments to manage both real and perceived risk.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                  Hear from fund managers who have used the framework<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                                  <\/lite-youtube><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                                  <\/lite-youtube><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                                  <\/lite-youtube><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                  Hear from Fund Managers who have used the framework<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
                                  <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                  Where we Work<\/h2><\/div>
                                  <\/div>

                                  Afrishela is currently active across East and Southern Africa:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                                  • <\/i><\/span>
                                    \n

                                    East Africa<\/strong>: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                  • <\/i><\/span>
                                    \n

                                    Southern Africa<\/strong>: South Africa and Zambia<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                  • <\/i><\/span>
                                    \n

                                    60% of capital deployed in East Africa, 40% in Southern Africa<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                  • <\/i><\/span>
                                    \n

                                    Scaling toward a USD 200 million pan-African impact investment fund, with West Africa and North Africa planned next<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                  • <\/i><\/span>
                                    \n

                                    We are scaling toward a USD 200 million pan-African fund, with West and North Africa planned next.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                  • <\/i><\/span>
                                    \n

                                    Through the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust\u2019s pan-African network across 20 countries, we draw on deep grassroots knowledge and trusted local partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>

                                    <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                                    Where we Work<\/h2><\/div>
                                    <\/div>

                                    Afrishela is currently active across East and Southern Africa:<\/p>\n<\/div>

                                    • <\/i><\/span>
                                      \n

                                      East Africa<\/strong>: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                    • <\/i><\/span>
                                      \n

                                      Southern Africa<\/strong>: South Africa and Zambia<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                    • <\/i><\/span>
                                      \n

                                      60% of capital deployed in East Africa, 40% in Southern Africa<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                    • <\/i><\/span>
                                      \n

                                      Scaling toward a USD 200 million pan-African impact investment fund, with West Africa and North Africa planned next<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                    • <\/i><\/span>
                                      \n

                                      We are scaling toward a USD 200 million pan-African fund, with West and North Africa planned next.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

                                    • <\/i><\/span>
                                      \n

                                      Through the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust\u2019s pan-African network across 20 countries, we draw on deep grassroots knowledge and trusted local partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>

                                      <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4103,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3289","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3289"}],"version-history":[{"count":191,"href":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9408,"href":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3289\/revisions\/9408"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/afri\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}