Step into the inspiring journeys and compelling profiles of female venture capital (VC) partners making a mark in Africa's dynamic investment scene in 2024. Explore how these exceptional women embarked on their paths to becoming influential VCs, overcoming challenges, and carving out success in a traditionally male-dominated industry. From their educational backgrounds and early career experiences to their current roles and impactful investments, discover the diverse backgrounds and unique stories of these trailblazing women reshaping Africa's entrepreneurial landscape. This article celebrates their achievements, highlights their strategies for success, and provides insights into the invaluable contributions they bring to fostering innovation and growth across the continent.

Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes - Founder & Managing Partner at Aruwa Capital Management

Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes is the Founder and Managing Partner of Aruwa Capital Management, with extensive experience in finance and private equity. Prior to founding Aruwa, she co-founded Syntaxis Capital Africa, providing growth capital to SMEs across Sub-Saharan Africa. Adesuwa's career includes roles at J.P. Morgan and TLG Capital, and she is recognized for her commitment to gender equality in private equity, holding a BSc in Economics from the University of Bristol.

Agnes Aistleitner Kisuule - Managing Partner at First Circle Capital

Agnes Aistleitner Kisuule is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at First Circle Capital. With a legal background, she's been a serial entrepreneur in emerging markets, a seed investor, and an adept networker. Based in Uganda since starting her tech business four years ago, Agnes previously built businesses in Jordan and Ukraine, prioritizing local women's empowerment. She's a WEF Global Shaper and was featured in Forbes' 30 under 30 list in 2022.

Alison Collier - MD at Endeavor South Africa

Alison Collier is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in international business development, strategic procurement, and entrepreneurship support. With a background in finance and economics, including an MBA from INSEAD, Alison has led global teams at Unilever and BOS Brands, driving digital transformation, strategic sourcing, and market expansion efforts. Currently, at Endeavor South Africa, Alison focuses on mentoring high-impact entrepreneurs and facilitating access to capital and new markets, showcasing her expertise in fostering growth opportunities for emerging ventures.

Amal Enan - Partner at 500 Global

Amal Enan, currently a Partner at 500 Global, brings extensive experience from her previous roles, including as a Managing Director at Global Ventures and various top positions at companies such as IFC and EFG Hermes. She holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Cairo, an MSc from LSE, and an MBA from Harvard.

Andreata Muforo - Partner at TLcom Capital

Andreata Muforo, a Partner at TLcom Capital in Nairobi, is deeply involved in Africa's tech ecosystem. With a focus on empowering female founders, she co-leads TLcom's Africa Tech Female Founder Summit and drives ESG and impact initiatives. Her extensive finance experience spans Horizon Africa Capital, the African Development Bank, and Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she earned her MBA.

Aniko Szigetvari - Founding Partner at Atlantica Ventures VC Fund

Aniko Szigetvari, Founding Partner at Atlantica Ventures VC Fund, transitioned from roles at DHL and Mondelez to a 20-year tenure at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), where she served as Global Head of the TMT Group. She currently sits as an Independent Board Member at IHS Towers and concurrently serves as Founding Partner at Atlantica Ventures VC Fund. She holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from The Wharton School.

Antonia Bothner - Capital Markets Lead at Endeavor South Africa

Antonia Bothner is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience in institutional equity sales, risk management, and financial services. She holds a Bachelor of Business Science (Honours) in Finance from the University of Cape Town and has worked at top financial institutions including Credit Suisse, Investec, and KPMG South Africa. Currently serving as Venture Capital Markets lead at Endeavor in Cape Town, Antonia is dedicated to supporting high-impact entrepreneurship and venture capital initiatives in South Africa.

Ashim Egunjobi - Managing Partner at Octerra Capital

Ashim Egunjobi serves as the Managing Partner of Octerra Capital. With an MBA from IE Business School, she brings a strong background, having previously worked as a Finance Partner in Corporate Real Estate at Standard Chartered. Alongside her financial career, she co-founded Always Me by Anne Li, a venture focused on handmade African-inspired baby and children's accessories. Currently, she also holds the position of Independent Non-Executive Director at DLM Capital Group.

Biola Alabi - General Partner at Acasia Ventures

Biola is a leader in deal origination, portfolio management, and investor relations within African startups and venture capital. Beyond her professional roles, she's recognized for her community contributions, notably founding Grooming for Greatness (G4G), a program fostering emerging talent. Additionally, she's an award-winning executive producer and founder of Biola Alabi Media, a consultancy specializing in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) sector across Africa.

Catherine Young - Managing Partner at Grindstone Ventures

Catherine Young's career journey began at Chevron before transitioning to an Executive Lead role at Deloitte. Since January 2017, she has been the Managing Partner at GrindstoneXL and Grindstone Ventures, overseeing the Grindstone Accelerator and Venture Fund. With a focus on incubation and acceleration programs, she completed the Venture Finance Programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford in 2020, following her BCOM with a specialization in Marketing from the University of South Africa.

Christine Namara - Partner at Flat6Labs

Christine Namara is a Partner at Flat6Labs, leading the Africa Seed Fund to invest in technology startups across East and West Africa. She has a strong background in venture capital and startup ecosystem development, previously serving as Head of Ventures at The Baobab Network. Christine's expertise includes product management roles at companies like Sendy Ltd and Africa's Talking. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Management from Uganda Christian University.

Dhekra Khelifi - Partner at 216 Capital Ventures

Dhekra Khelifi, currently a Partner at 216 Capital Ventures and Managing Owner of Good Ventures Consulting, boasts extensive experience in funding startups and supporting SMEs. With a background in corporate communications and marketing, she held leadership roles at Orange and Samsung Electronics, contributing to innovation and strategic partnerships. Dhekra holds degrees in Marketing from the Institut Supérieur de Gestion de Tunis and Global Communication from ISEG.

Dina El-Shenoufy - CIO at Flat6Labs

Dina has over 14 years of financial services experience managing venture capital and investment portfolios in the Middle East and North Africa. Prior to joining Flat6Labs, Dina managed investment portfolios in leading financial capital holding companies such as Al-Ahly Capital Holding, and Beltone Asset Management.

Eloho Omame - Partner at TLcom Capital

Eloho Omame, a Partner at TLcom Capital LLP in Lagos, is deeply involved in venture capital and startup support, co-founding FirstCheck Africa for pre-seed investments in female-led startups. With leadership roles at Endeavor Nigeria, General Atlantic, and FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, she brings extensive experience in growth initiatives and M&A transactions. Holding an MBA from the London Business School, Eloho's undergraduate degree is in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Eunice Ajim - Founding Partner of Ajim Capital

Eunice Ajim is the Founding Partner of Ajim Capital, an early-stage fund supporting African startups. With a background spanning startup funding, leading tech ventures, and angel investing, she co-founded ventures like OpenTeams and DataGig. Eunice holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from Louisiana Tech University and has completed entrepreneurship programs at SputnikATX and Founder Institute.

Fatoumata Bâ - Managing Partner at Janngo Capital

Fatoumata Bâ is the Founder & Executive Chair of Janngo and Managing Partner of Janngo Capital, focusing on 'tech for good' initiatives in Africa. Previously at Jumia, she held key leadership roles driving operational performance and job creation across the continent. Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, she is passionate about leveraging technology for women's empowerment, SME growth, and addressing health and education challenges in Africa.

Ghita Zniber - Co-founding Partner at Kalys Ventures

Ghita Zniber, Co-founding Partner at Kalys Ventures, invests in early-stage African startups and ventures like KUMULUS WATER and PaySika. With a diverse academic background and experience in business management, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work. Additionally, her involvement in organizations like Logidoo and AFRICATELLING highlights her commitment to community engagement in Africa.

Hannah Subayi Kamuanga - Partner at Launch Africa Ventures

Hannah Subayi Kamuanga is a Partner at Launch Africa Ventures, with Master's degrees from HEC Paris and the University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne. Hannah has extensive experience in investment and finance, previously serving as a Country Officer & Equity Expert at Proparco in the Democratic Republic of Congo and holding roles at South Suez Capital Limited, Credit Suisse, and Nomura. Her background in private equity, M&A advisory, and equity capital markets enriches her role in the African venture capital sector.

Hema Vallabh - Founding Partner at Five35 Ventures

Hema Vallabh, an engineer turned entrepreneur and investor, is a founding partner at Five35 Ventures, a pan-African VC fund focused on women in tech. She also co-founded WomHub, a leading pan-African incubator and co-working space for female STEM founders. With over 17 years of experience, she champions women in STEM through talent development, venture building, and investment. Hema's diverse expertise and advocacy have earned her recognition as a leader in gender diversity and inclusion, with numerous accolades to her name.

Hiba Mrani Alaoui - Managing Partner at Witamax

Hiba Mrani Alaoui is the Managing Partner at Witamax, a startup investment firm she co-founded. With a Master of Science in Management from HEC Paris, she previously led entrepreneurship programs and venture capital efforts at SouthBridge A&I. Her focus is now on seed-stage investing and supporting promising startups in diverse sectors.

Jennifer Schoeberlein - Partner at Sawari Ventures

Jennifer Schoeberlein is Sawari Ventures' ESG & Impact Partner, leading ESG integration and impact monitoring. With experience at organizations like Transparency International, she specializes in ESG risk assessment and capacity building. Jennifer holds an M.Sc. in Social Sciences from the University of Hamburg.

Joy Jack - Partner at Nexterra Capital

Joy Jack is a Partner at Nexterra Capital, focusing on early-stage venture capital in Africa, and a Venture Partner at Republic.co, a US crowdfunding platform. With expertise in scaling businesses, she advises on operations, governance, due diligence, and investor relations. Joy collaborates with industry stakeholders to enhance transparency and best practices, reflecting her commitment to shaping entrepreneurship.

Joyce-Ann Wainaina - Managing Partner at Chui Ventures

Joyce-Ann Wainaina is the Managing Partner at Chui Ventures, an investment firm supporting early-stage African founders. With over three decades of experience at Citi, she held key roles including Managing Director for Global Network Banking in Sub Sahara Africa and CEO positions in Kenya, East Africa, and Zambia. Joyce-Ann holds an MS in Financial Economics from SOAS University of London and a BS in Finance from Duquesne University. She also serves as a Senior Fellow at Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, teaching investment strategies. Joyce-Ann's leadership at Chui Ventures highlights her dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting the growth of African startups.

Kate Turner-Smith - Partner at Savant

Kate Turner-Smith is a founding member of Savant with a background in Clinical Laboratory Medicine and an MBA. She possesses expertise in IP management, Venture Capital, and Corporate Governance, alongside skills in Equity Research and Corporate Finance. With a strong passion for entrepreneurship and technology incubation, Kate is an experienced innovations practitioner.

Kenza Lahlou - Managing Partner at Outlierz Ventures

Kenza Lahlou, the Founder and Managing Partner at Outlierz Ventures, is a distinguished ecosystem builder and VC investor in Africa. With a diverse background spanning software engineering, management consulting, and private equity across multiple continents, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Kenza holds degrees in Computer Science and International Business, as well as a Leadership Executive Program certificate from Harvard Kennedy School.

Laila Hassan - General Partner at Algebra Ventures

Laila Hassan is a General Partner at Algebra Ventures and a Venture Partner at 500 Global. With expertise in venture capital across the MENA region, she has led transactions, supported portfolio companies, and advised startups on fundraising and operations. Her background includes roles in consulting, investment banking, and private equity, with degrees in Business Administration and Law.

Laura Davis - Managing Partner at Renew Capital

Laura Davis is the Managing Partner of Renew Capital and Co-founder of Renew Capital Angels, focusing on impact investing in Africa. With extensive experience in consulting and operations, she has established operations for Renew Capital across multiple countries. Laura holds a bachelor's degree in business and public relations from the University of Minnesota.

Lisa van Vlaanderen - Chief Financial & Operations Officer at Endeavor at Endeavor South Africa

Lisa van Vlaanderen brings extensive financial expertise to her role as Chief Financial & Operations Officer at Endeavor South Africa. With a background spanning top-tier organizations such as Old Mutual plc and KPMG South Africa, Lisa has demonstrated leadership in financial management, reporting, and strategic program implementation. Notable achievements include leading complex balance sheet optimization projects and overseeing Solvency II readiness programs. Lisa's career highlights her commitment to driving operational excellence and financial stewardship, essential for supporting high-impact entrepreneurship and organizational growth at Endeavor South Africa.

Maelis Carraro - Managing Partner at Catalyst Fund

Maelis Carraro, as the Managing Partner of Catalyst Fund, focuses on impact investing in tech startups across emerging markets. With extensive experience in working with early-stage entrepreneurs, DFIs, and philanthropic funders, she specializes in building affordable and accessible solutions for underserved communities. Maelis holds a dual MBA and Master's in International Affairs, complemented by her background in political science and development economics.

Mariam Kamel - General Partner at LoftyInc Capital

Mariam Kamel has over 15 years of capital markets experience, starting in Investment Banking and later moving into Investor Relations advisory services. She co-founded FLOW, a family health and wellness center, and led AUC Angels, the first university-based angel investor network in the MENA region. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and a Masters in Public Policy and Administration from the American University in Cairo.

Marie Nielsen - Partner at Antler

Marie is a Partner at Antler East Africa, leveraging her experience as a startup founder and former McKinsey & Company associate principal. She exited her paper recycling company in Ethiopia in 2021 and holds a master's degree in economic analysis from the Norwegian School of Economics.

Marsha Wulff - Founding Partner at LoftyInc Capital

Marsha Wulff is an early-stage tech venture investor and business mentor with a strong track record in private equity and social impact investment. She has extensive international experience and is actively involved in African business development, including initiatives in Uganda and Nigeria. Marsha holds an Executive MBA from SMU's Cox School of Business in Dallas, Texas.

Maya Horgan Famodu - Managing Partner at Ingressive Capital

Maya Horgan Famodu is the Founder & MD at Ingressive Capital, a VC fund investing in early-stage African tech. She's seeded high-growth startups like Paystack, Mono, and Carry1st, prioritizing female founders and Y Combinator alumni. Maya also co-founded Ingressive for Good, fostering tech talent in Africa, and leads market entry for international firms across the continent.

Melalite Ayenew - Partner at Antler

Melalite Ayenew is a Partner at Antler East Africa, providing support to founders on technology and strategy. With a background that includes roles at Oracle, Bain & Company, and Princeton Consultants, Melalite brings a wealth of experience to her position. She holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BA/MSC in Computer Science from Smith College and Rutgers University.

Meriem Zairi - Managing Partner at EmergingTech Ventures

Meriem Zairi Tlemçani is the Managing Partner at EmergingTech Ventures, an independent venture capital firm focusing on Emerging Markets. With over 20 years of experience in private equity and venture capital across Europe and Africa, Meriem has a strong track record in investment and entrepreneurship. She has led initiatives in the Maghreb Region, fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs, and holds an MSc in Management from ESSEC Business School.

Mia von Koschitzky-Kimani - Managing Partner at Future Africa

Mia von Koschitzky-Kimani, Managing Partner at Future Africa, brings diverse experience as an operator, VC, angel investor, and entrepreneur. She co-founded DukaConnect, leading its successful exit to Mastercard, and has a background in climate-focused VC and angel investing. Residing in Kenya, she is dedicated to supporting African startups.

Mona El Sayed - Managing Partner at Camel Ventures

Mona El Sayed, Founding and Managing Partner at Camel Ventures, brings over 25 years of banking and investment experience, including leadership roles at HSBC Bank. With expertise in corporate debt, risk management, and business strategy, she holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and an MBA from the American University in Cairo.

Mope Abudu - Managing Partner at AfriGloCal VC

Mope Abudu has over 25 years of experience in management consulting, business operations, and transformation. She is the Managing Partner of AfriGloCal VC, a women-led venture capital firm, and the Founder and CEO of Knight Ventures, an African accelerator and investor platform. Mope leverages her global advisory and venturing experience to identify and fund promising tech startups in Africa, with a focus on empowering women-owned enterprises and fostering a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Muthoni Wachira - Managing Partner at Katapult Africa

Muthoni Wachira, a recognized venture capitalist in Africa, brings 15 years of corporate and startup experience. As Managing Partner at Katapult Africa, she leads strategy and partnerships, advises organizations like Mighty Ally, and promotes female leadership initiatives. With a background in Actuarial Science and a CFA Charterholder, Muthoni is a prominent voice in impact investing and a visiting lecturer at the University of Cape Town's Bertha Center for Social Innovation.

Nadia Mannell - Founding Partner at Seed South Capital

Nadia Mannell, with a bachelor's in public relations from Nelson Mandela University, began her career in automotive with roles at AUDI AG and Toyota before spending nearly a decade at Meltwater. Alongside her work at Seed South Capital, she serves as the Chief Strategy Officer of Women In Tech and as a Director of the Cardano Foundation.

Niama El Bassunie - Managing Partner at Baobab Network

Niama El Bassunie has been a Managing Partner at The Baobab Network since November 2022, where she focuses on supporting tech startups in Africa. Previously, she was the CEO and Founder of WaystoCap, an online B2B marketplace for businesses in Africa, which was backed by YC and later acquired by MAXAB. Niama also serves as a Board Member at Niya, a platform bridging the digital and diversity divide in tech. She holds an MSc from LSE and a BA from the University of Sheffield.

Nichole Yembra - Founding Partner at The Chrysalis Capital

Nichole Yembra is the Founder & Managing Partner of The Chrysalis Company, focusing on early-stage tech investments. With a background in financial strategy and risk management, she has fostered growth in numerous portfolio companies. Nichole is also a champion for women in tech, recognized by Forbes Africa and the MIPAD 100 for her entrepreneurial endeavors.

Njeri Muhia - General Partner at FrontEnd Ventures

Njeri Muhia, a General Partner at FrontEnd Ventures, focuses on supporting diverse founding teams in Nairobi, Kenya, aiming to impact industry value chains and address community challenges. Prior to co-founding FrontEnd, she worked as an international investment consultant at ZAO Invest in London and served as a credit portfolio manager at Barclays, gaining extensive experience in finance and investment management.

Nneka Eze - Managing Partner at Vested World

Nneka E. is the Managing Partner at VestedWorld, overseeing investments in emerging markets. Previously, she spent over a decade at Dalberg, leading market entry strategies and launching the Nigeria office. Nneka has deep experience in global agriculture and renewable energy investments, having developed strategies for impactful funds in Nigeria. She started her career as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company after earning her A.B. in Economics from Harvard University.

Ola (Orekunrin) Brown - Founder at HealthCap Africa

Ola (Orekunrin) Brown has a diverse background in finance, medicine, and entrepreneurship. She holds a Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) from Hull York Medical School, and a Master's in Finance/Economic Policy from the University of London. Ola worked as a Doctor (A+E) in the NHS for four years before founding HealthCap Africa in 2011.

Omobola Johnson - Senior Partner at TLcom Capital

Omobola Johnson is a Senior Partner at TLcom Capital LLP in Lagos and serves on the boards of Andela, Pula, Okra, and Kobo360. Previously, as Nigeria's Minister of Communication Technology, she led initiatives such as the National Broadband Plan and supported the local technology industry. With over 25 years of consulting experience at Accenture and academic qualifications from reputable institutions, she brings extensive expertise to her roles in both public and private sectors.

Ory Okolloh - Partner at Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures

Ory Okolloh is a Partner at Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, with prior leadership roles at Omidyar Network and Luminate Group in Africa. With a background in technology innovation, including as a founding member of Ushahidi, she has served on the boards of several organizations and been recognized globally for her influence and leadership, including by the World Economic Forum and Forbes Magazine.

Pauline Koelbl - Founding and Managing Partner at ShEquity

Pauline Koelbl, Founder and Managing Director of AfriProspect GmbH and ShEquity, is an expert in fostering inclusive innovations in developing economies, particularly in Africa. Her work at the African Innovation Foundation generated over US$135 million in investments for African innovators. She also serves on various boards and committees focused on business, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Africa.

Polo Leteka - Founding and Managing Partner at Alitheia Capital

Polo Leteka is an experienced entrepreneur and private equity investor, serving as CEO and Founder of IDF Capital, a South African financier for women-owned SMEs. She co-founded AlitheiaIDF to expand her investment focus across Sub-Saharan Africa. Polo is known for her leadership in economic transformation, having developed South Africa's first Codes of Good Practice on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment. She is also a public speaker and co-author of a book aimed at helping entrepreneurs become investor-ready.

Rekia Foudel - Founder and Managing Partner at Barka

Rekia Foudel is an experienced impact investing professional with a background in project development. She previously served as a Senior Manager at Stright Hamilton, providing consulting services to investment management clients. At the Présidence de la République du Niger, Rekia led the development of projects aimed at poverty reduction and economic growth, securing a substantial grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation. She holds an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School and a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Government from Stony Brook University.

Rosanne Whalley - CEO at AHL Venture Partners

Rosanne Whalley is the CEO of AHL Venture Partners, an impact-focused VC firm based in Nairobi, Kenya, managing over $85M in assets. With experience in impact investing and business development, she previously worked with organizations like InfraCo Africa and AgDevCo. Rosanne holds an MSc in Development Studies from The London School of Economics and Political Science and a BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of York.

Salma Benaddou Idrissi - Founding Partner at Kalys Ventures

Founder and Managing Partner of Baker Tilly Burj Finance and Founding Partner at Kalys Ventures in Casablanca-Settat, Morocco, with a focus on venture capital. Also serving as Vice President at Endeavor Morocco, she brings over 20 years of corporate finance expertise, including roles at CFG Bank. She graduated from Emlyon Business School.

Sapna Shah - Partner at Novastar Ventures

Sapna Shah, Partner at Novastar Ventures, began her career in international banking before transitioning to investing with Acumen. She co-founded a food start-up and returned to Kenya in 2012 to focus on entrepreneurship. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Government and Economics from the London School of Economics.

Sarah Dusek - Founding Partner at Enygma Ventures

Sarah Dusek co-founded Under Canvas, a leading US adventure-hospitality company offering luxury glamping near national parks. Under her leadership, the company achieved recognition on the Inc. 5000 list in 2017, and she was honored on the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women list. In 2019, Sarah launched Enygma Ventures, a fund supporting women-led businesses in Southern Africa. She holds a Master's in Missiology from The University of Manchester and an LLB in Law from the University of Exeter.

Selma Ribica - Managing Partner at First Circle Capital

Selma Ribica is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at First Circle Capital, boasting extensive experience in the African fintech industry. From executive roles at M-Pesa to founding and selling a fintech business, she has been investing in fintech since 2015, backing notable companies like Qonto, Expensya, Dash, Bamboo, and THNDR. A graduate of INSEAD, Selma is now located in Casablanca, Morocco.

Surabhi (Ruby) Nimkar - Partner at GreenHouse Capital Africa

Surabhi (Ruby) Nimkar is a nomadic Australian deeply interested in the intersection of technology and frontier markets. With experience across China, India, the US, and Europe, she has expertise in building high-growth business models and service design for financial services. Currently, Surabhi is the Principal Investor at GreenHouse Capital Africa and leads their diversity-focused acceleration program, GreenHouse Lab.

Thandeka Xaba - Managing Partner at Digital Africa Ventures

Thandeka Xaba is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Digital Africa Ventures, with expertise in finance and accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Business Science from the University of Cape Town and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. Thandeka also founded GlamAlly, a beauty tech startup, and co-founded Tariro Foundation, a youth development non-profit organization.

Tokunbo Ishmael - Managing Partner at Alitheia Capital

Tokunboh Ishmael is an impact investor and gender lens innovator driving equity and inclusion in businesses for shared prosperity. As Managing Director of Alitheia Capital, she pioneers impact investing in Africa, particularly in fintechs for financial inclusion. Tokunboh mentors entrepreneurs, promotes diversity on boards and speaks globally on private equity and ESG investing.

Tosin Faniro-Dada - Partner at Breega

Tosin Faniro-Dada holds an MSc in Accounting from Boston College and a BSc in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She has a strong background in supporting entrepreneurs, having served as CEO of Endeavor and in various leadership roles at Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), where she led programs to support startups and create job opportunities in Lagos State. Her expertise includes fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships to advance entrepreneurial initiatives.

Wairimu Karanja - Partner at Persistent

Wairimu Karanja is a Partner and Chief Legal Officer at Persistent Energy Capital LLC, specializing in renewable energy, climate impact, and gender inclusion in Africa. Previously, she founded W&Co|Law & Policy and has over 12 years of legal experience in energy, infrastructure, and international arbitration. Wairimu holds an LLM in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Dundee and is actively involved in professional associations promoting sustainable development and mentoring young professionals.

The stories of these female VC partners in Africa exemplify resilience, innovation, and determination. Through their journeys, we witness the transformative power of diversity and inclusion in driving impactful investments and nurturing emerging businesses across the continent. As we look towards the future, it's clear that these women are not only breaking barriers but also setting new standards for excellence in the VC industry. Their experiences inspire us to cultivate an ecosystem where all aspiring entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to Africa's economic development. Let us continue to celebrate and support these visionary leaders as they pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous entrepreneurial landscape in Africa and beyond.