Alitheia IDF is a self-described pioneering gender-lens fund investing in scalable businesses to leverage the power of gender diversity as a factor for superior performance.

Alitheia IDF

Alitheia IDF is a pioneering private equity fund that identifies, invests in and grows SMEs led by gender-diverse teams to achieve superior financial returns and social impact for communities in Africa. 

Alitheia invests in sectors that engage a significant percentage of women, either as entrepreneurs, producers, distributors or consumers. Some of these sectors include agribusiness, consumer goods, health, education, and financial services.

Led by ‘Tokunboh Ishmael and Polo Leteka with combined experience of over 40 years in private equity, investment banking, and SME financing across multiple sector and with offices in Johannesburg and Lagos, the Alitheia IDF team has a track record of identifying, investing and exiting African businesses in overlooked markets that have significant economic and social potential.

Alitheia IDF is the only private equity fund manager in Africa with a proactive gender smart strategy to fund female founders and co-founders with innovative and scalable businesses in attractive industries and market.

Open Society Foundations

Our Co-Founder and Principal Partner, 'Tokunboh Ishmael, CFA, recently appeared on the 3rd episode of Startup Caps by CNBC Africa. 

Tokunboh was joined by Aisha Pandor, co-founder of SweepSouth, to discuss the strategic importance of gender lens investing. Other guest on the show were Sandrine Henton, Managing Director of EG Capital and Bola Bardet, founder of Susu. 

This episode spotlights the crucial role of women-led enterprises in Africa, highlighting the fact that in 2023, 16% of the total venture capital in Africa was directed towards women-led ventures. And how private capital can be used to make a significant shift towards gender equity in Africa's business landscape.

Watch here: https://lnkd.in/etHxz7Ve

Last week our team of Evelyn Chilomo Kaingu Co-Founder & CEO, Muchu Kaingu Co-Founder & CTO and Chilufya Kangwa CFO had the opportunity to present Lupiya’s progress at the Alitheia IDF Investor Day in Johannesburg, South Africa. We are excited to be on the journey of becoming one of the most prominent neobanks in Africa with the Alitheia IDF team and are grateful for their belief in Lupiya.

Last year Alitheia IDF led our Series A round of $8.25m with an investment of $5m.

This week, we are reflecting on the profound impact mothers and women have in shaping economies and communities across Africa. Here’s why:

1️⃣ Economic Growth: When women thrive in the workforce, economies flourish. Closing the gender gap could inject a boost the global economy by USD 7 trillion.

2️⃣ Educational Empowerment: By investing in women’s education and skills development, we not only enhance their livelihoods but also foster more inclusive and sustainable growth.

3️⃣ Business Benefits: Companies with diverse leadership teams perform better across all metrics. Empowering women in leadership roles isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s smart business.

4️⃣ Financial Inclusion: Access to financial services remains a challenge for many women. By bridging this gap, we unlock untapped potential and pave the way for greater financial independence and economic participation.

5️⃣ Digital Divide: We must address the gendered digital gap to ensure that all women have equal access to opportunities in the digital economy. Empowering women with digital skills opens doors to new avenues of growth and innovation.

6️⃣ Entrepreneurship: Women entrepreneurs are a driving force behind economic development, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries. By supporting women-led businesses, we drive innovation and create pathways to prosperity.

7️⃣ Care Work Recognition: Unpaid care work is the backbone of our economy, yet it often goes unrecognised. By valuing and redistributing care responsibilities, we can unlock significant economic potential and advance gender equality.

This week, let’s commit to investing in women’s economic empowerment. Together, we can build a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/djXKi7dt

#MothersDay #InvestInWomen #EconomicEmpowerment #AfricaDevelopment #AlitheiaIDF

We are thrilled to announce a  $4.5 million investment in SEAMFIX, a global digital identity solutions provider. 

This funding, which is Seamfix's first institutional investment, will support its expansion across Africa, starting with Nigeria and extending to Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Uganda.

Digital ID and verification systems are crucial in unlocking economic value across Africa's digital landscape. This is especially significant for low-income women in emerging economies who are often excluded due to a lack of digital IDs, hindering their economic participation.

Seamfix's innovative solutions solve this challenge by empowering businesses and individuals using technology, driving efficiency in services, financial inclusion, public health, and job creation.

We are excited to join Seamfix on this journey, empowering millions to access opportunities in the African economy through crucial identification services. Together, we are committed to shaping a digitally inclusive Africa and driving meaningful change.

Read more about the impact of this partnership here: https://lnkd.in/ex8JcjF8

#DigitalIdentity #AfricaTech #Investment #GenderEquality Moyosore Babalola Nnamdi Aguh Yewande Adewusi Doubra Eghaghe, CFA Peter Justin Akpan, CFA, ACA Oti Ilentamhen, CPA Oluwakemi M. Olajide #Africa #AlitheiaIDF

In 2023, there was a notable shift in investor priorities and strategies, with 41% of Limited Partners (LP) showing interest in gender lens investing compared to only 27% of General Partners (GP), according to AVCA - The African Private Capital Association survey of private capital investors.

While performance track record is the main priority concern for a majority of investors, ESG and gender-balanced teams are also priorities for some LPs at (18%) and (7%) respectively. This suggests that perceptions are evolving with more investors recognising the importance of gender and ESG consideration in decision-making.

However, true inclusion requires an intersectional approach, considering gender, digital, and climate perspectives to address the needs of underserved demographics and harvest the dividends of diversity.

Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eYi4DZuM

Congratulations to Affiong Williams, founder and CEO of ReelFruit, on her selection for the 2024 Class of the Tutu Fellowship program! 

Affi's visionary leadership at ReelFruit, her dedication to gender diversity, and her impactful initiatives like the Small Business Network of Nigeria, truly exemplify her commitment to driving positive change. 

Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ehCKgAQv

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Alitheia IDF