Adesuwa Okunbo-Rhodes: Pioneering Women-Led Investments

Adesuwa Okunbo-Rhodes, managing partner at Aruwa Capital Management, revealed that she secured her first investment banking job at the age of 18 with Lehman Brothers and later joined J.P. Morgan at 20.

In 2014, she returned to Nigeria, identifying significant funding gaps for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those owned by women. Despite Africa having the highest rate of female entrepreneurship, less than two percent of capital is allocated to female entrepreneurs.

In 2019, she established Aruwa Capital, a private equity firm focused on women-led SMEs, starting with a $20 million fund to build a track record before pursuing larger fundraising targets. Currently, Aruwa Capital manages $80 million across two funds and has invested in 16 companies.

Okunbo-Rhodes emphasizes the importance of supporting portfolio companies beyond financial investment, focusing on governance and operational structure.