Women, Wealth and Sustainability in Africa

This episode of our Jersey Heard podcast explores how Jersey’s international finance centre (IFC) enables purpose-led firms like 4G Capital to deliver real impact across Africa. Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa, our Market Development Consultant for Africa, is joined by Genevieve Hennessy-Barrett, Co-Founder of 4G Capital, to discuss how inclusive and responsible lending, empowering women and data innovation are helping to unlock opportunities for thousands of people in Kenya and Uganda.

Founded by Genevieve and her husband Wayne Hennessy-Barrett, 4G Capital began with a mission to provide inclusive finance tailored to local communities in Africa. Leveraging advanced data insights, the business is able to give their clients the tools they need to grow sustainably.

Genevieve also shares why they chose Jersey as their headquarters and how Jersey’s first-class IFC has supported their African operations: “We just knew that this would be the best place to have our company. It just demands great governance and therefore it commands respect… it gives our investors a lot of confidence that we are here.”

A key theme described in this episode is the impact 4G Capital is having on women-led businesses. With 72% of their client base made up of women, Genevieve said how 4G Capital has successfully integrated sustainability into its model, ensuring that clients receive support through insurance and responsible lending practices that are designed for long-term success.

From creating career pathways for young mothers to enabling business growth in underserved regions, Genevieve highlighted that 4G Capital is redefining how fintech can support women across Africa. Furthermore, she noted that this sustainable approach has already contributed to the creation of over 1.3 million jobs across Kenya and Uganda, highlighting the transformative role purpose-led firms can play when supported by a stable and globally connected IFC, like Jersey.

Reflecting on Africa’s future, Genevieve ends the podcast by sharing her thoughts how the region can create a more business friendly environment to allow all African businesses to thrive and why doing business for good is going to be such an important theme going forward.