In November the Graça Machel Trust held an Investor Showcase session in Johannesburg South Africa. This was organised by our two programmes; Women Creating Wealth (WCW) and Afrishela (Gender Lens Investment vehicle), bringing together -a dynamic mix of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.
Jane Muia, Senior Investment Officer at Afrishela, set the tone for the session. Her opening remarks underscored the Trust’s commitment to enabling women entrepreneurs across Africa. The Trust’s impactful work focuses building women entrepreneurs’ capacity to get investor ready, identify markets and connect to potential funders, establishing crucial networks for women in business.
Having been nurtured through WCW and Afrishela, the session served as a great platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses,. They not only presented their compelling business pitches but also engaged in meaningful interactions with a diverse array of investors who provided feedback as well as suggestions on how each entrepreneur can enhance their business pitches for future, overcome challenges and stand out in the marke. This invaluable opportunity provided entrepreneurs with deep insights into the preferences of potential funders, fostering connections and generated leads for potential collaboration and investments.
Sector stakeholders
- The Department of Small Business Development emphasised supporting women-owned businesses in various sectors, not just concentrated industries.
- The Development Bank of Southern Africa highlighted its focus on funding economic infrastructure, including ICT, energy, transport, health, and education initiatives.
- W-Cap, Mamor Capital, and Microtraction presented diverse investment opportunities for businesses targeting Zambia, Namibia, and South Africa.
The pitch session showcased the innovation and determination of women entrepreneurs in our programmes, across diverse sectors.
