Episode 156 - Investing in Women and Africa with Adesuwa Rhodes
Aug 21, 2023
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In this captivating discussion, Adesuwa Rhodes, founder of Aruwa Capital, sheds light on her mission to close the gender gap in Africa through impactful investing. She shares insights on the importance of empowering female entrepreneurs and fund managers in West Africa, highlighting successful ventures like Coolbox. The conversation also delves into the challenges of fundraising and the significance of strategic partnerships. Adesuwa emphasizes embracing rejection and the lessons from her athletic background, advocating for faith-driven investments that inspire systemic change.
Aruwa Capital aims to close the gender gap in Africa by promoting women as fund managers and focusing on impactful investments.
Adesuwa Rhodes' faith-driven leadership approach underpins her resolve to overcome challenges and empower women entrepreneurs in the region.
Deep dives
Empowering Women through Investment
There is a concerted effort to close the gender gap in Africa by promoting women as fund managers and entrepreneurs. Atasua Rhodes highlights the significance of women creating their own opportunities instead of waiting for existing systems to provide them a seat at the table. With only a handful of women-led private equity funds across the continent, Arua Capital aims to set an example demonstrating that women's leadership can drive economic growth. By fostering a culture of empowerment and support, the initiative encourages more women to bet on themselves and pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions.
The Role of Faith in Leadership
Rhodes attributes her resolve and leadership journey to her faith, which provided her with the confidence to take risks and pursue her vision for Arua Capital. After leaving her position at JP Morgan, she faced numerous challenges while fundraising but relied on her spiritual convictions to guide her decisions. This faith-driven approach not only helped sustain her through rejections and delays but also underscored the importance of trusting in a greater purpose. Her journey emphasizes how faith can serve as a foundation for leadership in challenging environments.
A Gender Lens in Investment Strategy
Arua Capital employs a gender lens in its investment strategy, focusing on businesses led by or benefiting women. The firm has made nine investments, with a significant portion being driven by women, directly impacting employment opportunities for women in the region. Investments are primarily directed towards essential sectors such as healthcare and renewable energy, with the goal of improving women's lives and economic conditions. This approach aims to demonstrate that supporting women in business is not merely an ethical consideration, but also an effective way to enhance financial returns and social impact.
Investing in Emerging Markets with Purpose
Investing in West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, presents substantial growth potential due to a youthful population and rising female entrepreneurship. However, it comes with challenges such as currency fluctuations and macroeconomic instability. Rhods emphasizes the importance of partnering with local stakeholders who understand the unique nuances of the market, ensuring informed decision-making. Her firm focuses on necessities and defensive sectors to build resilience against economic shocks while seeking to create meaningful employment and uplift communities in the process.
Despite the size and scale of the continent, there aren’t many female fund managers in Africa.
Today’s guest is trying to fix that.
Adesuwa Rhodes launched her firm, Aruwa Capital, because she saw untapped investment opportunities in West Africa in the small to lower mid-market. Aruwa has a specific goal to close the gender gap in Africa and become a case study that shows the business value of investing in women as fund managers, entrepreneurs, consumers and stakeholders in society.
She joins the show from her home in Lagos, Nigeria.
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