Listen to Lionesses of Africa Founder and CEO, Melanie Hawken, in conversation with Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Chairperson of New Faces, New Voices, Rwanda Chapter, recorded at the Global Women’s Summit which took place on 8th March 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The issue of access to finance and with it access to new markets is one that is spoken about often as a key challenge for women entrepreneurs in Africa. As a result, there is increasing recognition that impact investing, with a specific focus on empowering women, is a powerful catalyst for both economic gain and positive social change. Women’s funds exemplify a unique social change model, demonstrating that investing in women and girls achieves lasting returns for families, communities and nations. This gender lens investment model works because the focus for that investment is on women’s own solutions to critical challenges.

Melanie Hawken and Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Chairperson of New Faces New Voices, Rwanda Chapter

Changes to the gender balance in social investing are part of a wider expansion in the role of women in business and finance, particularly here in Africa. With greater influence, more autonomy, increasing confidence and greater wealth behind them, women are increasingly in a position to change the way the world invests—and do great things for the planet and its people.

For more information, visit the New Faces, New Voices website www.nfnv.rw