Ola Brown, MFR’s Post

15 Impact Voices in 15 Days: Impact Voice 14 - Fiyin Olanlokun Today on our "15 Impact Voices in 15 Days" series, we spotlight Fiyin, a vibrant ex-graduate trainee from our groundbreaking 3-month program at Healthcap Africa, designed to revolutionise private market investing across the continent. At Healthcap Africa, we're not just supporting private markets; we're driving economic transformation. While global private markets boast $10.7 trillion in AUM, Africa's market is still emerging, with a lack of skilled professionals. Our graduate trainee program fills this gap, offering paid training that turns novices into skilled private market investors, covering everything from deal sourcing to financial modeling. By nurturing local talent, we're unlocking Africa's potential for economic growth, job creation, and startup innovation. In this video, Fiyin shares her journey from a graduate trainee to an Investment Analyst at HealthCap Africa ⬇️ #HealthcapAfrica #PrivateMarkets #ImpactInvesting #Africa #SDGs #GenderEquality #EconomicGrowth

Globally, private markets have grown to an astounding $10.7 trillion in assets under management (AUM), employing over 300,000 professionals. Yet, in Africa, this sector remains in its infancy, hindered by a critical shortage of skilled talent. At HealthCap Africa, we are addressing this gap through our Graduate Trainee Program. This salaried training initiative equips aspiring professionals with hands-on skills in deal sourcing, financial modeling, and more transforming novices into proficient private market investors. By nurturing local talent, we are driving the growth of Africa’s private markets and unlocking new opportunities for: ✔️ Economic growth ✔️ Job creation ✔️ Start-up innovation Curious about how we are building the future of Africa’s private markets? Learn more here: bit.ly/fgart #PrivateMarkets #TalentDevelopment #EconomicGrowth #JobCreation #Innovation #Africa

Introducing Our Unique Venture Capital Graduate Trainee Scheme In the dynamic African venture capital sector, our firm stands out with a bespoke Graduate Trainee Program that sets us apart. This initiative isn't just about talent acquisition; it's a strategic enhancement to our investment approach: - Cultivating Local Talent: By investing in young professionals, we ensure a deep understanding of the local markets, enriching our investment decisions. - Innovation Hub: Our trainees bring fresh perspectives, fostering innovation within our portfolio companies and our investment strategies. - Sustainable Impact: The program supports our commitment to sustainable development by creating a pipeline of skilled leaders who are deeply connected with Africa's entrepreneurial spirit. Discover how this program amplifies our impact and positions us as a leader in the African venture capital space. Learn more below 👇

At HealthCap Africa, we're not just fostering private markets; we're catalyzing economic transformation. Research consistently shows that nations with thriving equity markets significantly outpace those dominated by bank-centric financial systems. Yet, much of Africa remains bank-focused, stifling economic dynamism. Globally, private markets have grown to $10.7 trillion in assets under management (AUM), with over 300,000 professionals employed in the industry. However, Africa's private market landscape is still in its infancy, with a significant shortage of skilled professionals. Our initiative bridges this gap, offering a salaried training that transforms novices into adept private market investors, covering everything from deal sourcing to financial modeling. By developing local talent, we're paving the way for Africa's private markets to flourish, creating new opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and start-up innovation. What sets our program apart? - Uniqueness: We're Africa's sole program dedicated to filling the critical void in private market expertise. - Demand: With nearly 1000 applications annually, the hunger for these skills is palpable. - Inclusivity: Our commitment to gender balance ensures that opportunities are equally accessible, promoting diversity in leadership. The Broader Impact: - SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - By training the next wave of investors, we're directly contributing to job creation and economic vitality. - SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure - We're fostering an environment where innovation can thrive through accessible capital. - SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Our inclusive approach helps level the playing field in investment opportunities. - SDG 5: Gender Equality - Through our gender-balanced programs, we're actively working towards gender parity in financial sectors. - SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - We encourage collaboration between sectors, enhancing the impact of our initiatives. Join the Movement: The development of private markets in Africa isn't just about finance; it's about building a future where prosperity is widespread. Engage with us, share your insights on the pivotal role of private market investing in Africa, and let's amplify our collective impact. Together, we can turbocharge Africa's economic growth, create thousands of new jobs, and unlock the continent's start-up potential. Let's turn the tide towards a more equitable and vibrant economic landscape in Africa. #HealthcapAfrica #PrivateMarkets #ImpactInvesting #Africa #SDGs #GenderEquality #EconomicGrowth

I like this, (see link below) 👇 👇 the median age of Africa is 19.1 when I last checked so we are saying by 2050 the world's population will be youth or younger hence my going concern - *-how are we preparing the upcoming leaders -*. Yet my observation is that Africa seems to be undergoing changes in every sector in particular in the world of academia no clear way matters curricula not forgetting that today's curriculums cannot suffice for tomorrow’s needs. The curriculums have been on upheaval since Covid lock down and this continues to be the & that will be the case for little while longer. I feel like too much experimentation is going on with the very youth we require tomorrow. As a result, we risk a situation where there is ‘no grounding’ perse. Suffice to say that Process cannot be overlooked and sadly, that is what the youth today do not have patience for they want it instant! The reality though is that process actually guarantees sustainability just as lack of process implies no structure. How do we to ring fence vis a vis the pressure from AI, IoT etc. . How do we redeem ourselves? If we don’t do so then the challenges will become even more complex. How do we fuse the ‘grounded’ ones with those who require grounding? My musings …..

Meeting Memo: Bridging the Skills Gap Between Education and Practice in Africa **To:** All LinkedIn Professionals   **From:** [Your Name]  **Date:** [Today’s Date]  **Subject:** Tackling the Skills Gap: A Fresh Perspective on Bridging Education and Practice Greetings All LinkedIn Professionals, We’re witnessing a growing number of highly educated graduates in Africa, but there’s a noticeable gap between their academic credentials and practical skills. Picture this: graduates armed with impressive degrees, but often missing the practical toolkit needed to tackle real-world challenges. Industries like technology, finance, and manufacturing are feeling the pinch, and it’s creating a human capital crisis that could impede our economic progress. The Mission: To bridge this gap, we need a collaborative approach. Educational institutions and companies must team up to emphasize experiential learning. Take a leaf from Investec’s playbook— their internship program skillfully combines academic knowledge with hands-on experience, showing us that real-world preparation is not just a dream but a reality. Next Steps: Let’s shift our perspective from valuing degrees as mere trophies to recognizing practical skills as essential tools. Encouraging continuous learning and real-world problem-solving will equip our workforce to face tomorrow’s challenges with confidence and creativity. Action Required: Engage with the latest insights on how we can transform theoretical knowledge into actionable skills. Dive into my latest article, [Africa’s Skills Gap: Bridging Education and Practice](https://lnkd.in/dDXMepE5), and let’s brainstorm ways to drive this change together. Best regards,  Ashlynn Natalie. #SkillsGap #Education #Africa #WorkforceDevelopment P.S. Let’s move beyond those shiny degrees and focus on making practical skills the real star of the show! 🌟

I am thrilled to announce that I have recently completed the #AICE_program offered by #alx_africa in partnership with the #Mastercard Foundation. This comprehensive journey has empowered me with valuable knowledge and skills in Al Augmented Professional Development, paving the way for exciting opportunities ahead. The program has equipped me with essential #Al_generated tools that are crucial for our day to day jobs. Program Outcomes: 📌 Comprehensive Understanding of Al: I have gained a thorough understanding of various Al concepts such as LLMs, GenAl, and GPTs. This includes mastering effective Al prompting and navigating the rapidly evolving Al landscape with confidence. 📌 Empowered Professional Growth: The program has equipped me with Al-driven tools to enhance my career progression. From refining job search strategies and crafting impactful CVs to personal branding and strategic decision-making. 📌 Entrepreneurial Empowerment & Execution: I have learned how to collaborate with Al tools to craft business plans and develop websites for entrepreneurial endeavors. These tools bring innovation to life and drive business success, empowering me to transform ideas into reality. Excited to leverage these new skills and tools to drive innovation and success in my personal and professional career! A big thank you to ALX Africa for this opportunity and to everyone who supported me along the way. #ALXAfrica #AlCertification #Artificiallntelligence

Financial inclusion training opportunity for young #GhanaianWomen under 35 years! Digital Frontiers Institute has launched a new program targeting #young Ghanaian women under 35 who are interested in pursuing careers in the financial sector, with a particular focus on #advancing #financial #inclusion. We have the opportunity to refer talented young women in our network who may benefit from this opportunity. If you fit the below profile or know anyone that may be interested please reach out to us. #Details The program is #fully #sponsored for #qualifying #candidates and consists of five comprehensive courses designed to provide skills essential for success in the sector: 1. Product Management in FinTech. This 5-week expert-led course covers core concepts of product management in digital finance, with a focus on application in fintech and developing markets. 2. Digital Finance for All. This 4-week course provides foundational insights into credit, savings, and insurance for underserved populations, emphasizing digital solutions. 3. Digitizing Agriculture. In this 4-week course, participants explore digital tools supporting agriculture and smallholder farmers, assessing their effectiveness in emerging markets. 4. Digital MSME Finance. This 4-week course introduces finance for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), examining how digital solutions improve access to finance and drive growth. 5. Agent Networks at the Last Mile. A 5-week course on building cash-in/cash-out agent networks, with a focus on rural areas and financial inclusion. Additionally, the organization has partnered with leading financial companies in Ghana to offer voluntary internship opportunities, giving participants hands-on experience in the financial sector. No prior work experience is required to apply. There's a webinar scheduled for November 27 to provide more details about the program, its structure, and the application process. Kindly repost or refer anyone who would be interested so we can guide them to complete the application referral form. Thank you for helping us expand access to this unique learning and career-building opportunity. #RaisingNextGeneration #FinancialInclusionLeaders

Meet Vanessa Dodoo, a young agri change maker, inspiring a generation! Vanessa’s journey began with an internship as part of the Shea Business Empowerment Programme (SBEP). Through the programme, the Global Shea Alliance, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, Advans Ghana Savings and Loans Ltd , theSOFTtribe Ltd. Women for Change and AgroCenta Technologies, Inc (Techstars 22) | VISA Africa Fintech Accelerator '23 is driving a transformative initiative to strengthen the business acumen and capacities of shea co-operatives and SMEs operating in the value chain. One step to achieving this goal is to bring together students from the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale,and women led shea co-operatives in Northern Ghana. This program empowers women by providing critical support to their co-operatives for 2 to 3 months, strengthening their operations and enhancing local communities. For the students, it offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the shea sector, inspiring and shaping their future career paths in sustainable development. During her internship, Vanessa provided business support to the co-operative and helped improve their financial record keeping, business development marketing and branding as well as introducing them to digital tools. But Vanessa didn’t stop there! Whilst working with the women to process shea kernels, she identified a key challenge in the production process, drying the shea kernels, which often led to delays and compromised quality. Recognising the impact on both efficiency and output, Vanessa came up with a solution to streamline the drying process, improving both speed and quality and making a significant contribution to the women’s co-operative and the shea value chain. Vanessa's story showcases the impact young people can have when empowered to drive innovation and positive change. The Shea Business Empowerment Programme offers a unique platform for youth engagement, connecting students with real world challenges and promoting social entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices. Find out more about Vanessa’s journey and solution by reading the full article here: https://shorturl.at/akiQL #AgriChangeMakers #SheaIndustry #YouthEmpowerment #Innovation #Sustainability

📢 Are you a student at the University of Ghana? Join the Young Investors Network (YIN) today! The Young Investors Network is here to help you build a strong foundation in financial literacy, investment strategies, and career readiness. Here's why you should join: 🔹 Financial Literacy: Learn how to manage your finances, save smartly, and invest wisely for a secure future. 🔹 Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and fellow students to expand your personal and professional network. 🔹 Workshops & Masterclasses: Participate in exclusive seminars, competitions, and certification programs that sharpen your financial knowledge and skills. 🔹 Career Development: Gain access to internships and job opportunities that bridge the gap between your studies and the real-world corporate environment. 🔹 Leadership & Personal Growth: Enhance your leadership and soft skills through targeted training programs. 🔹 Certifications: Boost your CV with certifications in financial analysis, investment strategies, and other valuable skills. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to enhance your financial knowledge and career prospects. Join the Young Investors Network today and take the first step towards a bright future! 🌟 #FinancialLiteracy #Investing #YoungInvestors #UniversityOfGhana #CareerDevelopment #Networking #Leadership #PersonalGrowth