ScaleUp Africa, a trust-based venture philanthropy and social justice digital membership community, has announced that acclaimed British-Ghanaian actress and philanthropist Adjoa Andoh, widely known for her role as Lady Danbury in Netflix’s Bridgerton, has joined its Advisory Board.
Africa has the world’s fastest-growing youth population, yet local economies and ventures, especially those led by women and young entrepreneurs, struggle to access the support and resources needed to alleviate the impact of poverty with a view to sustainable prosperity. Women own a quarter of informal and formal businesses on the continent but face a $42 billion financing gap, making it even harder for them to scale.
For years, remittances from the African diaspora, which currently stands at over $90 billion per year, have quietly outstripped foreign aid three times over, yet these funds remain a source of sustenance and consumption rather than productivity and value addition – diaspora remittances are an untapped tool for more structured, strategic impact investments that could help close Africa’s socio-economic funding and infrastructure gaps. ScaleUp Africa is doubling down on direct diaspora development and next generation philanthropy activism.
“Now, more than ever, there is a growing appetite of Africans and friends of Africa to contribute more effectively and meaningfully to Africa’s growth on its own terms,” said Adjoa Andoh. “I am excited to support ScaleUp Africa in their mission to ensure that Africa’s productive workforce and communities have more direct access to the right support, resources, and networks needed to thrive.”
ScaleUp Africa’s new membership community supports high-impact economic initiatives led by women and youth and has long championed this shift by piloting programs with its community partners, social enterprises, women’s economic empowerment groups, cooperatives and associations. Having connected over 10,000 African women and entrepreneurs with resources, advocating for long-term development solutions, beyond traditional philanthropy and aid, the organization has worked across sectors including agribusiness, film, and tech to equip social enterprises with the tools, mentorship, and grants they need to become self-sufficient.
Amma Gyampo, Co-founder of ScaleUp Africa, was recently appointed CEO of Ghana Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (GVCA) and named one of the Global Top 50 – Philanthropy & Social Impact by Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD). Commenting on Andoh’s appointment, Gyampo said, “We are thrilled to welcome Adjoa Andoh to our Advisory Board because she embodies the bridge between Africa, the diaspora and a global audience interested in social justice and her belief in our mission means so much.” ScaleUp Africa’s new membership community connects visionary, ambitious and impactful individuals seeking effective, more sustainable new ways to advance long-term development in Africa through unique experiences like its philanthropy trip to Africa for example. Gyampo added “ScaleUp Africa delivers an alternative guided learning experience, supporting members to go beyond simply writing checks; our membership complements existing philanthropy advisory solutions with a direct, locally-led economic development approach.”
Beyond her award-winning career, Andoh has been a vocal advocate for diversity, inclusion and climate solutions, as well as socio-economic empowerment.
