As ANDE continues to champion for an improved SGB ecosystem in Africa, it seeks to build consensus on the most pertinent advocacy issues and priorities, identify the best practices and strategies, and inspire collaboration to create a more resilient environment for SGBs, especially in the wake of COVID-19.
The climate and biodiversity crisis presents enormous challenges and at the same time, COVID19 has made evident the profound social flaws and inequalities of our economic system. Impact driven venturing is a critical instrument to tackle these challenges, achieve impact at scale and do it fast.
The Aavishkaar Group is a global pioneer in taking an entrepreneurship-based approach towards development. The Group is focused on developing the impact ecosystem in the continents of Asia and Africa. Aavishkaar Group manages assets in excess of USD 1 Billion across Equity and Credit, with 6,000+ employees present across India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Kenya.
Value for Women and ANDE, supported by the Walmart Foundation, embark on 7 technical assistance projects in Central America, Mexico, and South Africa.
In 2019, the West African entrepreneurial ecosystem experienced major development, with the rise of tech hubs and impact investing activities. There was particularly an increase in direct and indirect investment funds from Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), as indicated in ANDE’s recent State of the Small and Growing Business Sector report.
In South Africa, the second largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa in 2019, SGBs contribute to the economy by increasing employment and job creation opportunities to many people who would not be generally employed by the larger corporations.
In 2019, 119 participants from 66 organizations and 17 countries attended the ANDE West Africa Regional Conference to discuss key issues in the West African SGB sector.