What does it mean to build a gender-smart investment fund in East Africa, and what makes it work? In this episode, Carolyne Kirabo of M-Kyala Ventures shares how the Uganda-based fund is transforming how capital flows to women-led businesses across East Africa.
From funding a plastic recycling business to supporting a million-dollar eco-footwear brand, Carolyne shares what’s working and what’s not in inclusive finance. We dive into why many women don’t get funded, and why funders need to change how they show up. Carolyne talks about the gap between women’s repayment behavior (much better than some may think) and their access to capital, and how she’s bridging the gaps. If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond good intentions to real outcomes in gender lens investing, this conversation is for you. And it’s a call for all of us to always start with listening deeply to women’s needs and experiences.
You can also:
- Subscribe on Spotify or Apple.
- Visit our website.
- Connect with Carolyne on LinkedIn and read her full bio.
To go further, here are some of the references mentioned during the episode:
- The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
- Gender Action Collective
- M-Kyala 5 Year Impact Report
- Gender Smart Lending Toolkit
- Shona Group
- FindingXY
- Helton Traders
- Uzuri K&Y
- Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE)