“Teach a mother and you have taught a nation,” this African adage best describes the inherent multiplicity nature that women embody. In every sector, 21st century women are showing that they are a force to be reckoned with. As investment, especially investment in Africa finds itself on the rise, it comes as no surprise that women are asserting themselves in this sector. As one explores the perspective of women investors, one establishes that their nurturing insights and unique ways are what will map out the future of African investment. With this in mind, one is obliged to provide an in-depth understanding into the present opportunities and challenges that women in the investment sector are facing or are likely to face with the hope of averting such in order to be better positioned to speculate on what the future holds on this vibrant and dynamic landscape.
Often times, success in investment is a direct result of professional skills set that allow players to be able to understand the environment they are operating in and be able to adjust as favourable factors are constantly changing. To note is how African women in the investment sector have been noted to exhibit strong analytical skills. This is elaborated by their pragmatic approach in selecting projects and in their mindfulness on the socioeconomic impact their investments has. In so doing, they avert terminal risks while engaging with all stakeholders in a positive and progressive manner. In truth, most female investors can be considered social custodians. This is exhibited by the keen interest most have on investing in projects that have sustainable growth while alleviating the communities they operate in from severe poverty in most cases. This keenness to resolving social challenges aligns well with the pressing need for development in Africa.
From as early as recorded history, African women have maintained a decorum of ease in matters of cooperation. In prior times this was exhibited by their capabilities to gather food together in order to feed their communities. This remains true today where women believe that every child is raised by a community to the extent that, ailing mothers or the elderly, are given a hand by members of their communities in most respects. This “it takes a village” approach has been adapted to the investment landscape. In micro proportions, it can be seen in small to medium cooperatives that put their funds together to buy good seeds and fertilizers in an effort to guarantee good quality yields that they can sell as a cooperative. This is true for women in Giyani, Limpopo who have been maintaining a steady, great quality supply of macadamia nuts that are exported at good market value. At corporate level, this is translated to workshops and mentoring sessions where women in investing share their visions and goals and find like-minded partners from their network.
Here, talent is recruited through the support systems established by such forums, collaborations are fostered and new entrants to the investment scene find comfort and encouragement from a pool of diversely skilled female investors. These networks and collaborations are what has made significant strides in the field of African investment.
There is ample room for advancement in the investment scene as Africa has numerous opportunities that can still be tapped into. With the progresses made in biotechnology and the availability of environmental friendly fertilisers and pesticides, African agricultural produce has the potential to bolster food security in the near future. Women are able to learn the use of better machinery and driven by the inherent desire to improve their communities and preserve their environments, it comes as no surprise that opportunities in agronomy and forestry would be best suited for them. This has already been seen by the enormous success of The Green Belt movement. Women in Kenya used planting trees as a means of averting deforestation and unemployment while making strong social statements that later caused a positive change on how female workers would be treated equally as their male counterparts in most industry sectors. The founder of the Green Belt Movement, Dr. Wangari Mathai had a philosophy that personifies the essence of women investing in Africa. She believed that “the importance of communities taking responsibilities for their actions and mobilizing to address their local needs” was the basis for alleviating poverty. She also highlighted that, “we all need to work hard to make a difference in our neighborhoods, regions, and countries. This means making sure we work hard, collaborate, and make ourselves better agents to change.” Women investors are therefore keen to carry on making better decisions that affect our socioeconomic growth in positive proportions.
With sustainable finance and the possibilities of incorporating sustainability into their financial systems, the opportunities of them impacting the investment landscape are vast. This can be seen by the growing number of African women who are entrepreneurs in the modern and highly technical sectors including e-commerce, healthcare and education. With access to funding, there is little that African women in the investment sector cannot affect and grow positively. While we bask in their successes, there is need to cast an eye at the challenges they face in the industry, with hopes that in highlighting their obstacles, relevant changes can be effected that better position women for swifter success. It is an unfortunate truth that one of the main hurdles remains gender bias. Often, women are overlooked or are underestimated when it comes to investment negotiations for the base reasons of their gender. This is heightened when legislature and regulations are used to further segregate female investors. To this day, some African countries still have laws and regulations that make it impossible for women to own businesses and to attain property rights.
These are fundamental tools that are needed for the assembling of investments and without them, many a dreams remain deferred. This gender bias spills over to limiting their access to capital. It is rather unpleasant to note that most women encounter numerous obstacles when they seek investment funds whether it is through venture capital or through banks not based by merit, but due to their gender. It is one’s hope that as the tide for progress towards an inclusive global village ensues, female investors can be viewed through the lenses of their merit, their capabilities, their comprehension and ultimately, their competence.
With access to Open Online Courses, African women are increasingly equipping themselves with investment skills that allow them to better manage their risks and navigate themselves with ease in the otherwise complex landscape of finance. This financial literacy is prevalent when they have to make informed decisions. This financial literacy is being shared with other women through the mentorship and networking forums previously mentioned. Such platforms are pivotal for the emerging members as they provide guidance, valuable insights all of which assist the newcomers to navigate themselves effectively. It must be noted that these networks and mentorship programs go as far as to connect women with opportunities and potential partners, all the while providing support without bias. Here, Fintech platforms are explored and rated, giving women a means to access real time market data and relevant up to date investment opportunities. It goes without saying that Digital Finance has made strides in their efforts at inclusivity. Women are allowed to participate and access financial services with greater ease even to the point of accessing alternative sources of capital like crowdfunding.
The horizon for Women in African Investment is vast and promising. There is no doubt that with the Increase in representation in the sector, more female youths are encouraged to explore this landscape with energy that matches their enthusiasm. Objectively, we shall see a gradual increase in female representation in leadership roles, decision making bodies including investment committees that will allow for policies and regulations that make it easier for the next generation of African female investors. In truth, women investors will have a huge role to play in the advancement of sustainable and impactful projects as they are generally committed to projects that provide both economic and positive societal outcomes. Their role as social custodians will always navigate them towards championing projects that advocates for strong positive societal leaps. These will spill through to gender equity through the establishment of gender responsive policies and practices that female investors will advocate for. This drive towards impactful solutions, their access to technology and information as well as their exposure to mentors and partners plus support will see African women investors at the forefront of the financial landscape.
In conclusion, the influence of African women in investment will continue to grow. This will be aided by policies and laws that are inclusive and this will provide a sustainable and impact investment landscape. Women’s unique and diverse talents will continue to contribute positively towards the economic development of the region. Creating a brighter future for women in general and for women investors is not only a pathway to regional success, it is equally an imperative. African women are the catalysts needed for the sustainable development necessary for the prosperity of Africa, to this effect, opportunities and collaborations with them should be considered with urgency for the betterment of the African nation.