Gender inclusion is an essential part of our investment strategy not only as a matter of equity but as a key driver of economic performance, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
At Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund (VCHF), we are committed to embedding gender-inclusive practices across our operations and portfolio companies. This commitment aligns with global impact frameworks such as the 2X Challenge and Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5): Gender Equality.
Part of the objective of the Fund is to invest in financial institutions that, in turn, channel capital toward women-owned and women-led MSMEs, enterprises that offer products and services benefiting women and girls, and companies that champion gender equity in their workplace, supply chains, and governance structures.
Our 2024 Impact Report highlights that, through our investments in portfolio companies, we have unlocked capital for approximately 42,130 MSMEs, of which 5,947 are women-led enterprises. In addition, our support has contributed to the creation of 771 jobs for women, while 177,722 women clients have gained improved access to financial services.
Across Africa, women continue to face systemic barriers to accessing finance, scaling their businesses, and securing leadership positions. For financial institutions and SMEs, integrating gender considerations into core operations can unlock new markets, improve team performance, and enhance long-term sustainability. Studies show that gender-diverse companies outperform their peers in profitability and resilience.
VCHF is scaling its gender inclusion efforts by leveraging its Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) to support investees in building gender-smart strategies. This includes:
- Gender Assessments: Conducting baseline assessments to understand gender gaps within the company’s operations, workforce, and customer base.
- Gender Action Plans (GAPs): Co-creating practical, measurable plans with clear KPIs to promote gender equity across hiring product development, governance, and workplace culture.
- Capacity Building: Providing tailored training for leadership and staff on unconscious bias, inclusive recruitment, and sensitive gender-related topics.
- Product Innovation: Supporting the design of gender-responsive financial products and services, especially for women-led businesses and underserved female customers.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Tracking progress using gender-disaggregated data and impact metrics aligned with the 2X Challenge criteria.
VCHF will continue to deepen its commitment to gender inclusion by integrating gender considerations into every stage of its investment process from decision-making, operations to impact assessment. This approach not only supports the empowerment of women and advancement of gender equality, but also drives stronger business performance, reinforces the Fund’s impact credibility, and helps build a more equitable, inclusive, and resilient society where all individuals regardless of gender can succeed and thrive.