Access to funding for Africa’s women entrepreneurs requires a more innovative digital approach — Lionesses of Africa

Lioness Radio / The Business of Funding Podcast Ep.4

For Africa’s women entrepreneurs in both startup and growth mode, getting access to funding can be a tricky and often frustrating experience. That’s why a more innovative approach is required, and fintech has a definite role to play in creating more accessible funding platforms for women business owners. In Episode 4 of The Business of Funding, Sarah Dusek, co-founder of Enygma Ventures, shares her insights on how funding and investment support for growth oriented women owned businesses in Africa can be a game-changer. Also on the programme are two successful women business founders who are in the business of fintech, and both based in Zambia. So two fascinating conversations on the business of funding from a number of perspectives.

In Episode 4 of The Business of Funding, Chilufya Mutale, founder of Premier Credit in Zambia, a financial technology company that operates as an online micro-lending and Investment platform in emerging markets in Southern Africa, speaks about how her business has been offering micro loans in Zambia, supporting local entrepreneurs and small scale traders, many of whom are women. Her vision and business model aims to increase their access to capital and the ability to grow their businesses. Chilufya’s business is very innovation focused, and is a first mover in the Zambian market redefining alternative finance and enabling inclusive growth. One of its unique differentiators is that Chilufya believes in creating access to finance even for the most remote customers, supporting the company’s ethos of financial inclusion. It does this by leveraging on partnerships to offer mobile financial services even to the most remote areas where branches are not present. Premier Credit has launched an innovative means of connecting investors to borrowers through an AI driven, Peer to Peer lending platform.

Evelyn Kaingu, co-founder and ceo of Lupiya in Zambia, the award-winning, venture-backed, fintech startup that provides online loans, is also interviewed in the programme. Through Lupiya, Evelyn says she is on a mission to foster financial inclusion in Zambia by simplifying borrowing processes and requirements – something that sounds like a breath of fresh air to customers. One of the things that makes Lupiya stand out in the marketplace is its support for women entrepreneurs. Evelyn believes in Financial Inclusion for women and Lupiya is very proactive in promoting the financial liberation of women in Zambia. The company also provides management training and start–up best practices in addition to providing financial support.

Lupiya and Premier Credit were introduced to Lionesses of Africa by its impact partner, Enygma Ventures, the private investment fund focused on investing in women-led businesses in Southern and East Africa, co-founded by Sarah and Jacob Dusek. Enygma Ventures partners with Lionesses of Africa to produce The Business of Funding Podcast. To listen to Episode 4 and hear from Sarah, Chilufya and Evelyn, click here: