In partnership with Tricent, AVPA conducted a study to document best practices and emerging trends in the African landscape. The research integrated survey data from over 300 social investment organizations and feedback from over 1,000 participants in the 2025 IMM Webinar Series.
Key Findings
The study highlights a growing but maturing market for impact investing in Sub-Saharan Africa, with several critical observations regarding how impact is measured:
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Framework Adoption: There is a high reliance on global standards; 31% of respondents exclusively use the UN SDGs and IRIS+ for impact alignment.
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Localization Gaps: There is a notable absence of standardized frameworks tailored specifically to African local contexts and socio-economic realities.
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Operational Hurdles: Investors continue to struggle with high costs associated with measurement and the difficulty of validating impact data.
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Strategic Opportunities: There is significant potential to scale impact through the adoption of digital tools and the use of blended finance structures.
