Innovative Finance for West Africa
Catalysing innovative finance for a prosperous, gender-equal West Africa.
Savannah Institute for Innovative Finance is a thought leader in innovative finance in the West African sub-region. We build capacity, conduct research, and develop case studies on innovative financing schemes that work and are scalable.
3 focus areas
Advise, Research, Connect
Working board
The working board.
The working board comprises social finance and development leaders from the public, private, public-private, and non-profit sectors. Current considerations include, but are not limited to, the following organisations.
UBS Optimus Foundation
Philanthropic foundation driving impact in health, education, and child protection.
International Finance Corporation
The largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.
Ashoka
Global network of leading social entrepreneurs advancing systemic change.
Ghana Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection
Government agency coordinating policies for social welfare and gender equality in Ghana.
Nigeria Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
Federal ministry promoting women's advancement and inclusive social development in Nigeria.
Mastercard Foundation
International foundation focused on expanding education and financial inclusion in Africa.
Unilever Ghana
Multinational consumer goods company championing sustainable and equitable business practices.
Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Academic centre dedicated to research and practice in social innovation and systems change.
What we do
Three focus areas. One mandate.
Through three connected focus areas, we deploy innovative finance to close the development funding gap in West Africa.
Advise and Fund
We prepare and connect investees and investors to appropriate impact investments, deploying capital with a gender lens through the Savannah Alternative Investment Fund.
Research and Learn
We produce reports, position papers, and case studies that address knowledge gaps in innovative finance, and we monitor and evaluate SAIIF programs and investments.
Connect and Lead
We mobilise impact investment through advocacy, convenings, and connections among thought leaders, investors, and investees across West Africa.
The challenge
Development financing in West Africa faces a significant gap.
Investment Mismatch
Investors and investees are unable to use mutually beneficial financing tools to scale businesses. The root causes are a lack of technical capability and knowledge, and weak innovation and investment infrastructure.
Learn moreGender Inequality
Women entrepreneurs are disproportionately excluded from development financing. The root causes are inconsistent access to and control of capital, and unfocused earmarked development aid.
Learn moreOur approach
Innovative finance as a tool for development.
We take a place-based approach to innovative finance to close the gap between private capital and traditional development aid in the West African context. This means developing financial solutions that work for West Africans. A financial tool that may be classed as traditional elsewhere can be genuinely innovative here.
Generate additional funding
Leverage private financing through guarantees, diaspora crowdfunding, and development impact bonds.
Improve funding efficiency
De-risk financing through capacity building, insurance, frontloading, and faster access via accreditation.
Enhance results-orientation
Embed a gender lens throughout the investment cycle. Scale pay-for-performance and advance market commitments.
What it adds up to
Building the institutions and capital pipelines that West Africa needs.
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West Africa
Leadership
Hamdiya Ismaila
Interim Executive Director
Over 23 years in finance and investment, including extensive fund-of-funds experience across West Africa. Founder and CEO of Savannah Impact Advisory and founder of the Lady Angel Network.
Read full profile
Partner with us to close the funding gap.
We work with investors, governments, foundations, and ecosystem partners across West Africa. Tell us about your priorities.