NYAIR Episode 75
Impact Investing in Africa
Explore the frontier of alternative investing in Africa through an expert-led roundtable dissecting the strategies, case studies, and real results driving one of the world’s most exciting impact investment landscapes. Senior investment leaders share how intentional capital, local partnerships, and sector innovation are reshaping economies, empowering women, and delivering measurable results for investors and communities.
Featured Guests
Tracey Austin
Financial & Professional Services Director, UK Department for International Trade
With more than 25 years transforming banking and investment across Africa and other high-growth markets, Tracey leads the financial services Africa strategy for the UK government. Her career spans British Investment International, Barclays, BlueCrest Capital, and more, positioning her as a recognized authority on fund investment, ESG, and resource-sector innovation. Tracey helps unlock impact-driven capital flows—mobilizing both global institutions and local partners to scale sustainable growth across the continent.
Tawana Muchatuta
CEO, Glitch Finance; Africa Growth Division Lead, Knickerbocker Financial Group
Tawana is an award-winning fintech and sustainability specialist with years of operational excellence experience across the UK, Africa, and Asia. Formerly with British Sugar and Coca-Cola, his expertise covers fintech, sustainable manufacturing, and program management. As CEO of Glitch Finance and consultant at Toptal, Tawana pioneers DeFi and blockchain solutions for African markets, working hands-on with leading startups and international development agencies to drive scalable, real-world impact.
Rue Nyamboya
Sector Manager, Client Coverage, Standard Bank; Director, Education Matters Africa Foundation
Anna Snider directs manager selection and due diligence across Bank of America’s Global Wealth and Investment Management, overseeing trillions in assets including tens of billions in hedge funds and private markets. Her expertise blends risk management and portfolio education, shaping investment allocations and ESG/DEI integration at scale. Anna also serves as the head of the board of High Water Women, focusing on impact investing and financial literacy initiatives. Her career highlights a thoughtful approach to mentorship, leadership development, and innovating diligence and portfolio strategy in evolving markets.
Dr. David McLean
Senior consultant at DMA Consulting Group,
A veteran investment advisor and thought leader in governance, David leads high-profile African market initiatives and writes extensively on anti-corruption and developmental finance. His expertise guides dialogues that connect investors, policymakers, and local advocacy into actionable intelligence.
Key Insights From This Episode
Intentionality Is the Heart of Impact Investing
Investing for both financial returns and measurable, intentional social/environmental outcomes distinguishes true impact investing from conventional approaches.
Ecosystem Partnerships Drive Success
Collaborations with local incubators, accelerators, and technical advisors are critical. Sustainable results require building capacity and closing gaps at every stage of the value chain.
Homegrown Solutions and Local Talent Win
Successful impact funds and projects prioritize investment mandates defined by on-the-ground need, empowering local leaders and tailoring strategies to context rather than importing outside models.
Gender Lens Investing Lifts Performance
Targeted support for women-owned funds and businesses delivers outsized development and financial results—a diversity imperative recognized by leading institutions and global initiatives.
Measurement and Transparency Are Advancing
Frameworks for ESG and impact metrics are maturing, but success demands specificity, replicability, and local adaptation to mitigate risks like fund leakage or reporting mismatches.
Power Access and Financial Innovation Transform Africa
Renewable energy, fintech, and logistics innovations are overcoming longstanding structural barriers, boosting productivity and quality of life across diverse African regions.
Access the Full Conversation
Unlock even deeper insights and practical strategies—listen to the complete NY-AIR episode and download a custom, actionable insights deck curated for financial services professionals aiming to seize Africa’s impact investment potential. Gain exclusive knowledge to refine investment theses, assess opportunities, and build the partnerships required for real-world results in the alternative investments space.
Soundbites Worth Saving
“The key issue around intentionality is really about outcomes. What differentiates impact investing is delivering concrete, measurable results that solve real problems.”
— Tracey Austin
“When women make allocation decisions, we see positive outcomes—in the businesses they back and in the communities they serve. There's a billion-dollar opportunity in supporting women-led funds across Africa.”
— Rue Nyamboya
“The most successful ventures invest in what recipients and customers need locally, not what outsiders imagine they might want.”
— Tawana Muchatuta
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