Tinodiwanashe Mazhinduka

I am excited about the prospect of joining VC4A, as it presents an opportunity to work with an organization dedicated toward making a positive impact in Africa. Having spent the majority of my 11-year career within impact investing, I believe my prior experiences will add value to mentees.

I am currently completing my MSc International Finance (FinTech) at the University of Amsterdam, I chose this program as I believe that innovation has an important role to play in providing sustainable solutions for development. Most recently, I was part of a team at the Public Investment Corporation, that acquired an equity stake in Aradei, a Moroccan real estate platform with a growing footprint in healthcare and concluded expansion funding for the V&A Waterfront, an iconic mixed-use precinct in Capetown. These investments were made in line with SDGs 3 – good health and well-being and 11 – sustainable cities and communities.

During my time at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)/Jobs Fund, I gained valuable experience in financing seed-stage projects that required collaboration with both public and private sector financial institutions. Projects funded include Vumela Enterprise Fund, a partnership with one of South Africa’s largest banks, FNB, to catalyse funding for microenterprises and A2Pay, a payments platform, that provides informal traders and vendors with access to secure financial services.

Through these experiences, I have started to invest (albeit at a small scale) in start-up ventures that include a supply-chain finance business, maize farming venture and an affordable housing platform in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The mentorship role will give me the opportunity to plough back and make a meaningful contribution to the development of the continent.

I have a passion for furthering development of the continent and have been privileged to be able to express this passion throughout my career. I understand and appreciate the challenges in growing businesses in many African countries and want to make a difference in this regard.