Change champions: Krutham celebrates impact innovators

Krutham, previously known as Intellidex, has honoured exceptional African organisations and individuals for their commendable efforts in impact investing across the continent. The inaugural Krutham Africa Impact Investment Awards, held today, acknowledged pioneers for their role in driving investments that not only generate financial returns but also foster positive social and environmental change.

In a time where public resources are increasingly limited, impact investing has emerged as a crucial avenue to ensure a better quality of life for all citizens across Africa. Krutham’s managing director, Dr Graunt Kruger, emphasised the significance of impact investing, particularly for smaller social enterprises, stating, “Our award recipients are opening doors to a new dimension of capital accessibility, emphasising the critical role of the investment community in driving impact investments.”

The awards aim to encourage greater interest and engagement in impact investing among both traditional and social investors. Kruger highlighted the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society, and the media, in order to maximize the impact of these investments.

One of the esteemed judges, Sophie Omar from the Impact Investing Institute, stressed the pivotal role of these awards in spotlighting the remarkable work being undertaken at every level of the investment chain. “By showcasing the range of opportunities across the African continent, the awards play a key role in growing the impact investing field,” she commented.

The Krutham Africa Impact Investment Awards also seek to foster networking opportunities and expand knowledge within the sector. Kruger emphasised the need to establish connections and share knowledge, particularly among emerging practitioners, to facilitate the sector’s growth and success.

The awards ceremony was graced by representatives from various sectors, and the winners span a diverse range of categories. Notable winners include Lumkani from South Africa, a company addressing informal settlement fires through innovative technology, and eha Impact Ventures from Nigeria, which supports impactful women-led businesses. Other categories honour organisations like SAB Foundation, Old Mutual, Yunus Social Business, and many more.

As the winners took the stage, their achievements underscored the transformative power of impact investing. By recognising and celebrating these change-makers, Krutham’s Africa Impact Investment Awards are poised to catalyse further growth in this crucial sector and drive positive change across the continent.

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