This year’s International Women’s Day theme, #AccelerateAction, calls for bold, decisive steps toward gender equality. At Alitheia Capital, we are committed to driving meaningful change through impact and gender-lens investing. In line with this mission, our Co-Founder and Managing Director, Tokunboh Ishmael, joined a distinguished panel at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, for an insightful discussion hosted by the Professional Women’s Network. Alongside Dr. Ethel Mupambwa, CDFP, and moderated by Professor Thomas Hellmann, Tokunboh shared her perspectives on financial inclusion, gender-lens investing, and the power of financial literacy in accelerating action for African women’s careers.
“On this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #AccelerateAction, I urge you not to get stuck in analysis paralysis of the status quo. If they won’t give you a seat at the table, build your own — and take action to drive real change.
When I co-founded Alitheia Capital, impact investing in Africa was nearly unheard of. We saw the gap and took action, pioneering impact-first and gender-lens investing to finance businesses that create lasting, meaningful change.
Through Alitheia IDF and our other funds, we actively fund women-led and impact-focused businesses, equipping them with the mindset, aspirations, and support they need to scale and thrive. The dividends of diversity are undeniable. Diverse companies outperform, innovate, and drive sustainable economic growth. Inclusion isn’t charity; it’s smart business.
I shared these insights during an #IWD2025 conversation hosted by the Professional Women’s Network at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, yesterday. Professor Thomas Hellmann moderated the event, which included my co-speaker, Dr. Ethel Mupambwa, CDFP.
Together, we explored key topics, including the power of financial literacy in women’s economic empowerment, the unconscious biases that prevent women from accessing capital, and the critical need for gender-lens investing to bridge the gap and accelerate action. We also discussed how identifying risks as opportunities can drive both impact and business growth.
In addition to gender-lens investing, we are also tackling some of these challenges through Yellow Cowries Financial Literacy, a tech-driven, gamified financial literacy platform I founded. By making financial education engaging and accessible, we equip women with the tools to manage finances, build wealth, and grow sustainable businesses.
Let’s accelerate action, build our tables, and create opportunities for others.”