MSMEs share insights on inclusive finance in Namibia

💡 “When we share, we learn.” This past August, the Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs (FAN) brought together teams from across the network, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda for a first-of-its-kind workshop hosted by regional host, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) and FAN network manager, Results for Development: a space to share experiences, tackle common challenges, and shape a learning agenda to strengthen financing for NCDs. The workshop report captures the lessons, key takeaways, and identified priorities that are  guiding the next steps toward building more resilient and sustainable health financing systems in each country. Cameroon NCD Alliance CNCDA | CITY HEALTH GROUP | Ministry Of Health, Ghana | Ministry of Health, Kenya | Ministry Of Health Malawi | Ministry of Health and Human services Galmudug State Somalia | Ministry of Finance Somalia | Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda | Ministry of Health (Uganda) PHEOC | NCD ALLIANCE EAST AFRICA | NCD Alliance Kenya | Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana Read the report 👇

One of the most influential investment events focused on Africa, AFSIC - Investing in Africa is rapidly approaching, and set to take place in London on 14-15 October 2025. Independent trust FSD Kenya will be there, sponsoring the Kenya Country Investment Summit, and showcasing green financing opportunities, and its work that unleashes the power of finance to enable people and businesses in Kenya to thrive, and tackling the barriers that prevent people and small businesses from fully participating in the economy. The Kenya Country Investment Summit at AFSIC, and corresponding FSD Kenya Deal Book, will include deals that will represent projects under the Green Finance Project Preparation Facility, sourced from green finance opportunities across 10 counties in Kenya. These projects are designed to attract private investment and support sub-national governments in developing bankable business models. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e23maYS8 Africa Legal is proud to support AFSIC 2025 as a media partner, providing exclusive insights and coverage of key discussions shaping Africa’s investment future. Readers can use code AF25M10 for access to your Africa Legal 10% discount. #AFSIC2025 #YourAfricaLegal #InvestingInAfrica #GreenFinancing #DealBook #Kenya #FSDKenya

“Global Accelerator’s objectives fully align with Senegal’s development priorities.” Senegal has won funding under the second M-GA funding call of the #GlobalAccelerator. It’s developing a national roadmap focused on improving employability and social protection coverage. 🔊 Hear from Aminata Maiga, UNRC in Senegal, on how the Global Accelerator’s integrated approach offers an opportunity to better align public policies that bring in a systemic economic transformation in the country. ONU Sénégal Dieng Moussa Valérie Schmitt Jean-François Klein Anna Brachtendorf

The Domiciliation Report will be officially launched on 30 September 2025 in partnership with MEDA - MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) and Momentus Global. This report highlights how domiciling funds within Africa can: ✅Strengthen financial ecosystems ✅Attract and retain foreign capital ✅ Mobilise domestic savings for SMEs & entrepreneurs ✅Expand dignified work opportunities, particularly for women and youth Drawing from 13 African jurisdictions, the study provides a practical roadmap for policymakers and investors to reimagine Africa’s investment landscape. 📍 Online Webinar | 🗓️ 30 September 2025 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dX4EcywY #ImpactInvesting #FundDomiciliation #AIS2026 Mastercard Mastercard Foundation Africa Impact Summit AVCA - The African Private Capital Association African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA)

Ethiopia aims to launch a new Youth Entrepreneurs Investment Bank (YEIB), a specialised financial institution designed to address the country's severe youth unemployment crisis by providing patient capital to startups. The initiative, a partnership between the Ministry of Labour and Skills, Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), represents a strategic shift from traditional debt-based support to direct equity investment in youth-led enterprises. https://lnkd.in/eGBfpb8b

#Ethiopia #Economy Although I know that this is a thing pushed by AfDB, it is not a good idea to attend to the challenges mentioned. We cannot bank out from youth unemployment. It is a structural problem, and hence we should be attending it through thoughtful economic policies, the main one being industrialization with effective state guidance. Creating a specialized financial institution such as YEIB will only be filling a specific gap and can only work well under an effective industrialization policy.

#Ethiopia Promising step forward. Youth Entrepreneurs Investment Bank (YEIB) could be a real game-changer; shifting from quick job fixes to long-term support that gives young innovators the funding & confidence to grow their own businesses. Top 10 Insights on the #Youth #Entrepreneurs #Investment #Bank (YEIB) Concept -- Indicative Components from AfDB & Comparable Models. 1) Equity-Based Model: Moves beyond debt toward patent capital, providing equity or quasi-equity to youth-led startups excluded by commercial banks. 2) Blended Financing: Combines public funds + AfDB concessional grant (~US$ 42.86 million) + private capital to ensure sustainability and scale. 3) Dedicated Management Company: Professionally run entity with independent governance & accountability. 4) Ecosystem Integration: Ties financing with non-financial supports; including mentoring, training, incubation, business advisory. 5) De-risking Mechanism: Guarantee windows and risk-sharing tools to mobilize banks and investors. 6) Strategic Partnerships: Anchored by Ministry of Labour & Skills, Ethiopian Investment Holdings, AfDB, and others. 7) Focus on Inclusivity: Prioritizes youth & women entrepreneurs, especially in underserved sectors. 8) Performance & Impact Tracking: Data systems to monitor job creation, firm growth, investment returns. 9) Sector Focus & Phased Rollout: Pilot in priority sectors (e.g. agribusiness, digital, light manufacturing) before scaling. 10) Policy Alignment: Integrated with national youth employment, MSME policy, & economic reform strategies. Michael Tomas Gebremariam #Ethiopia #YouthEntrepreneurship #InvestmentBanking #InclusiveFinance #PublicPrivatePartnership #AfDB #EIH #EconomicReform #SustainableGrowth #HumanCapital #InnovationEcosystem #DevelopmentFinance #MSME #ImpactInvestment #DigitalEconomy #EthiopianEconomy

Africa’s opportunities are not in short supply, the challenge is how they are marketed and turned into results. At #IATF2025, economist Tigharsi El Houari explained that IATF serves as a platform to showcase African resources and products worldwide while establishing the environment needed to attract investment. He emphasised that agriculture stands as one of the most important sectors which will drive Africa’s development in the coming years. The combination of agricultural production, industrial processing and startup support through financial resources and mentorship presents a promising path for sustained development because 60% of Africans are under the age of 30. Africa doesn’t need charity, it needs partnerships built on shared value. What should be the priority areas to unlock by #IATF2027? #AfCFTAMarketplace #Afreximbank #AfricaInvestment #AfricanMarkets #YouthEntrepreneurs

Digital access should extend beyond the city limits. During #IATF2025, Jacques Bogh, Late Founder, COO & CFO of Beekee explained why he believes the fair matters for Africa’s development. He spoke about the need to move training programs into local communities to provide farmers and young entrepreneurs with access to the skills required to access new opportunities. For him, agriculture is a sector where knowledge and innovation can deliver immediate impact producing stronger value chains and preparing Africa’s workforce for international market competition. The exchange of knowledge and capacity development stands as a vital aspect of partnerships that goes beyond the simple exchange of goods. The path to growth between now and #IATF2027 will depend on this essential capability for Africa. What should be the main focus for developing African skills that will support its trade expansion goals? #AfCFTAMarketplace #Afreximbank #AfricaInvestment #YouthEntrepreneurs #AgricultureAfrica

🔙✨ #ThrowbackThursday to an unforgettable moment for Rwanda’s financial ecosystem! ✨🔙 The MSME Financing Symposium brought together entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and partners from across the country for a day filled with insight, dialogue, and shared purpose. From thought-provoking presentations to lively discussions with entrepreneurs, the event highlighted both the progress achieved and the work still ahead to make access to finance more inclusive, innovative, and impactful. The launch of La Finance s’Engage FSE marked a defining milestone — a collective commitment by Rwanda’s financial institutions to support MSMEs and drive sustainable growth across the nation. It was a day of energy, ideas, and collaboration — proof that when the ecosystem comes together, transformation is possible. Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) Vivian Kayitesi Zephanie Niyonkuru Christian Kitumaini Pius Abijuru Nadege Gaju MBA Lys Brenda UMULISA,Nadege Gaju MBA Fiona Muthoni Naringwa