Scaling Investments and Derisking Programme: Towards Catalysing Sustainable Growth in Africa

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Africa’s economic development. Yet, they face formidable barriers to growth, including limited access to finance, fragmented markets, and weak ecosystem coordination. To address these challenges, Strathmore University Business School (SBS) and Scaling Sustainable Industries (SSI) partnered to launch the Scaling and Investment Derisking Programme, a transformative initiative designed to empower sustainability-driven businesses to scale their impact while attracting critical investment.

The Programme aims to accelerate Africa’s sustainable industrial transformation by focusing on enterprises leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as renewable energy, carbon capture, waste recycling, and advanced manufacturing. By tackling financing gaps, strengthening market linkages, and fostering ecosystem collaboration, it provides a blueprint for derisking investments and unlocking scalable solutions to the continent’s most pressing challenges.

Dr. Caesar Mwangi, Executive Dean of Strathmore Business School, underscored the Programme’s alignment with the institution’s mission: “Africa’s future hinges on visionary leaders and scalable enterprises. This initiative demonstrates that sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive—it’s where doing good meets doing well.” By bridging the gap between innovators and investors, SBS reinforces its role as a catalyst for inclusive growth, enterprise resilience, and leadership excellence.

Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd, a key architect of the Programme, highlighted its strategic pillars, including access to finance, market linkages, ecosystem coordination, policy advocacy, capacity building, and innovation acceleration. “Sustainability is no longer optional; it’s a strategic imperative,” said Dr. Vandeweerd. “Through SSI, we’re aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to future-proof industries while addressing Africa’s dual challenges of climate resilience and economic growth.” Guided by Amb. Prof. Bitange Ndemo, the Programme embodies Strathmore University’s commitment to innovation, offering a replicable model to scale impact across the continent.

The Programme employs a unique phased approach to derisk investments and prepares SMEs for exponential growth. It begins with the Scaleup Scan Assessment, developed by Scaleup Nation (Netherlands), a diagnostic tool that identifies barriers to scaling across strategy, operations, and leadership. This is followed by tailored, multi-year scale-up support programs that equip companies with tools for operational excellence, financial planning, and market expansion, culminating in convertible loan opportunities. The initiative prioritizes deep-tech innovators in agriculture, textiles, energy, and circular economy sectors, supplemented by digital and AI-driven solutions.

The Programme’s success is anchored in collaborations with Scaleup Nation (Netherlands), Growth Africa (Kenya), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Germany), and Systemic Innovation (UK). A revolving grant mechanism ensures long-term sustainability, as successful SMEs reinvest a portion of their growth funding, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of support for future enterprises.

By crowding in private sector capital, the Programme also tests an innovative donor exit strategy, aligning with global goals to shift from aid-dependent models to investment-driven development. This approach supports economic prosperity and advances environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

The SSI-SU Scaling and Investment Derisking Programme represents a bold leap toward a future where innovation, sustainability, and private sector investment converge to build a resilient, thriving economy in Kenya and East Africa. This isn’t just about scaling businesses, it’s about scaling impact.

Article by Juliet Hinga