This comprehensive research report quantifies the gender financing gap across 22 African economies, identifies the structural and behavioral drivers of underinvestment in women-led enterprises, and presents a framework for gender-lens investment that both closes the gap and generates market-rate returns.
Women-led enterprises in Africa face a $42 billion financing gap, concentrated in SME debt and early-stage equity
Women entrepreneurs show 23% higher loan repayment rates than male counterparts at equivalent risk profiles
Only 2.8% of venture capital deployed in Africa in 2024 went to women-led companies
Countries with gender-responsive financial regulations show 34% higher rates of women in formal business ownership
Blended finance structures reduce perceived risk for gender-lens investors by an average of 40%
Mandate gender-disaggregated data reporting for all financial institutions receiving development finance
Establish a $500M Gender Financing Facility co-capitalized by DFIs and private investors
Reform collateral requirements in national lending regulations to include moveable assets and social collateral
Create regulatory sandboxes for women-focused fintech products with streamlined licensing
Require 40% women beneficiary targets in all government-backed credit guarantee schemes
Dr. Aisha Mohammed, Dr. Ngozi Adeyemi, Fatima Al-Hassan (2025). The Gender Financing Gap in Africa: A $42 Billion Opportunity. EmpowerHER / ACE Advisors.
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