A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence
Adesuwa Rhodes is changing the face of investing and entrepreneurship in Africa one investment at a time
Adesuwa is a leading investment professional and CEO with over 14 years of experience in investment banking and private equity in developed and emerging markets across a number of sectors including healthcare, financial services, technology and consumer goods. Adesuwa is an entrepreneur, CEO, mother, investor and women’s empowerment advocate. She is one of the youngest female private equity fund managers running her own fund in Africa, having launched her fund at 29 years old. She is the Founder and Managing Partner of Aruwa Capital Management, one of the few women owned and led private equity funds in Africa investing into untapped investment opportunities in West Africa in the small to lower mid-market. Adesuwa is focused on using Aruwa Capital Management’s investments as a case study to make the business case to invest in women as fund managers, entrepreneurs, consumers and stakeholders in society. Adesuwa is a mission driven pioneer on a mission to unlock the power of private capital as a catalyst for change in her environment.
Learn More"I am on a mission to unlock the untapped potential of women as capital allocators, consumers, founders, board members, suppliers and across all levels of society, to unlock enhanced financial returns and positive social impact."
~ Adesuwa Rhodes
It was a pleasure to join the Mentor Intro Africa IWD webinar hosted by Fola Niyi- Duale, Founder/CEO Mentor Intro Africa with the theme- She breaks barriers: Empowering Women through Mentorship. I joined two other amazing women- Adaku Ijara, MD/CEO Emerging Africa Asset Management Limited and Hauwa Shakir, CEO of Kulu Abuja. I discussed the transformative power of mentorship using insights from my personal and professional journey.
It was great to attend the ImpactHer International Women’s Day event themed “Inspire Inclusion: Unlocking Opportunities Using Digital Skills and Market Expansion”. I had the pleasure of joining the keynote panel session where we discussed the urgent need for technological adaptation, and the critical importance of integrating technology into daily business operations particularly for women. I was honoured to speak alongside notable women like- Oluwatoyin Aralepo Director of Finance at Mastercard Foundation, Adaku Ijara, MD/CEO Emerging Africa Asset Management Ltd., Dr Oluseyi Olanrewaju, CFO Digital Reality, Onyeche Elisabeth Agbiti-Douglas, Project Manager, BRAVE Women Nigeria, the session was moderated by Ayishat Olanrewaju, Founder, Corporately Lucid.
It was a pleasure to join host- Nsembo Udoh on the Hub one Insider Series webinar hosted by FCMB with the topic- Raising Investment Amid VC Funding Crunch, where I shared tips on how to overcome obstacles posing challenges for founders seeking funding and how to navigate the current VC crunch and winter.
It was a pleasure to join the webinar hosted by Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund in celebration of International Women’s Day with the theme- Inspire Inclusion hosted by Vymala Thuron, Deputy MD, MFAGF. I was honoured to speak alongside other female fund managers- Joyce-Ann Wainana, Managing Partner, Chui Ventures, Nneka Eze, Managing Partner, Vested World, Kim Kamarebe, Managing Partner, Inua Capital. Together we addressed pressing questions about the progress of gender equity in impact investing, sharing insights from the perspective of our respective journeys.
I was honoured to have been invited by Aelex Law Firm to speak at their in-house event celebrating International Women’s month. I had the pleasure of sharing my journey from my early years to starting my professional investment banking journey and how that led to founding Aruwa Capital. It was an uplifting event with a warm atmosphere where we could have open and heartfelt discussions.
I had the pleasure of joining host- Tochukwu Ezekuwu, Regional Director, Avpa and fellow panelist- Dr. Ola Brown, Founder, Health Cap on the African Venture Philantrophy Alliance webinar tagged- ‘What the Data and Trends Say, And What They Mean For Funding Flows And Venture Builders’. We had an eye-opening and impactful session which focused on crucial data and trends affecting investment decisions, especially in West Africa.
I had the pleasure of joining one of the panels at the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PENOP) IWD Celebration with the theme: Inspire Inclusion. The panel which was moderated by Adaobi Okoye was tagged – ‘Driver’s Seat: The Role of Women in Digital Transformation’ had esteemed speakers in attendance – Olayinka Ajayi, Executive Director, Zenith PFC, Nike Bajomo, Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC PFA, Ugochukwu ‘Ugodre’ Obi-Chukwu, Founder and CEO Nairametrics.
I had the pleasure of being a panelist at the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce’s IWD celebration themed - ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’. My panel which was expertly hosted by Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani comprised of noteworthy individuals- Adeniyi Adekoya- Deputy MD of Snyperpet and Weston Limited, and Kemi Awodein, MD of Investment Banking at Chapel Hill Denham discussed a powerful topic - ‘Empowering Women in Finance’ where we explored ways we can continue to champion women’s voices and drive meaningful change.
I had the pleasure of moderating one of the panels at the 2nd Annual PEVCA Nigeria conference with the theme: The Next Frontier: Private Capital Opportunities in a Shifting Economic Landscape. The panel -Planning for successful exits and performance had esteemed speakers in attendance – Nnenia Ejebe, Partner Adenia Capital, Laolu Alabi, Senior Vice President, African Capital Alliance, Mobolaji Adeoye, Founder and Managing Partner, Consonance Capital and Daniel Adeoye, Partner Verod Capital.
I am humbled to be recognized as one of the Ventures Africa 20 women of impact for the year 2023. This recognition highlights women who have displayed outstanding leadership and also contributed to community building, economic empowerment, leadership, innovation and societal change.
"I believe the way to effectively provide women with more seats at the table is for us to create our own tables. More women succeeding as capital allocators means more women getting funded, more mentors, more torch-bearers, and more examples to follow. Investing in or with funds like Aruwa Capital Management is a practical way to narrow the gender funding gap and making money while you do so."
- Adesuwa Rhodes
Adesuwa is the Founder & Managing Partner of Aruwa Capital Management an early stage private equity fund investing in rapidly growing businesses in West Africa. With Aruwa Capital and her own personal investments, Adesuwa is focused on uncovering untapped investment opportunities that are typically overlooked and underserved. Adesuwa is passionate about showcasing the natural competitive advantage women allocating capital have when investing in businesses for women and by women. Through a gender lens investment strategy, Adesuwa is focused on generating enhanced financial returns whilst delivering positive social impact with a multiplier effect across societies and economies.
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