MiDA Advisors, a global transaction and financial advisory firm, and SAVCA have launched the Women Empowerment Mentoring and Incubation Fund Manager Programme (WE>MI), to increase the number of investable women fund managers in Southern Africa.

The programme is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“Through support and funding from USAID, the programme aims to increase the number of investable women-owned and women-managed fund managers in Southern Africa by providing technical assistance and investment support facilitation,” said Nadine Mentor, Partner and Senior Managing Directorat, MiDA Advisors.

The WE>MI technical assistance will include skills development in the form of workshops and masterclasses, one-on-one mentoring, and facilitated access to resource partners for women-owned and women-managed fund managers in Southern Africa.

The investment support facilitation will focus on providing participants with investment support and investment readiness assistance to   increase the success rate for capital raising amongst participants.

Graduates of the programme will have the opportunity to pitch their funds to key investment sources in the United States, Africa, and Europe.

The selected funds will invest in companies that directly benefit the Southern African region, with a particular focus on companies that benefit women.

This inaugural programme has the potential to unlock $20m of investment funding into the Southern African region, build the capacity and networks of African fund managers, and support the successful development, growth, and sustainability of women-owned and women-managed funds.

The 13-month WE>MI programme will work with other women-focused programmes in Africa, including the African Women Impact Fund, to leverage opportunities and resources for women.

The WE>MI programme will accept applications until May 10. 2021 at 17:00 CAT and is scheduled to kick-off in June 2021 and end by July 2022.