Bridging Finance and Sustainability: How International Finance Can Support Sustainable Infrastructure in Africa with Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa

Episode 180 with Dr Nyakatawa who is a multifaceted business consultant with more than 20 years’ experience working in financial services, specifically wealth management in large financial services companies in South Africa and across Africa. She joined Jersey Finance in 2021 and is responsible for market development in Africa, currently with a primary focus on South Africa.

An international speaker and thought leader, Dr Nyakatawa has been interviewed on various platforms including the BBC, CNBC, ENCA and various publications. She champions women’s issues as an Advisory Board Member of Women in Tech (SA Chapter) and an International Campaign Advisor for the Cherie Blair Foundation’s 100,000 Women Campaign Board, among others. She was recently elected by members to the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa(FPI), she is a Non-Executive Director at Masthead and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), CFA member and SAVCA member. She holds an MBA and PhD from the University of Cape Town.

In this episode, Dr Rufaro discusses the future of sustainability in Africa, focusing on the critical sectors of energy, transport, and water. She unpacks the challenges facing African nations as they strive to modernise ageing infrastructure amidst rising urbanisation and climate risks, and shares real-world examples of green and resilient projects that are beginning to deliver tangible impact.

She also reflects on the vital role of International Finance Centres like Jersey in supporting Africa’s ambitions by connecting global capital with local development priorities.

What We Discuss With Dr Rufaro

• How Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa’s diverse background in environmental science, development finance, and international policy informs her approach to sustainable finance in Africa.
• Why sustainable infrastructure in energy, transport, and water is essential to Africa’s long-term development.
• The major roadblocks African countries face in transitioning to green, inclusive, and climate-resilient infrastructure models.
• How African governments and private sector actors can work together to mobilise capital and drive innovation in sustainable infrastructure.
• The role International Finance Centres like Jersey play in supporting Africa’s infrastructure goals by connecting global capital with local development priorities.

Did you miss my previous episode where I discus How a South African Startup Is Giving Underserved Communities Access To Instant Emergency-Response Services? Make sure to check it out!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Connect with Terser:
LinkedIn – Terser Adamu
Instagram – unlockingafrica
Twitter (X) – @TerserAdamu

Connect with Dr Rufaro:
LinkedIn – Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa
Twitter – @jerseyfinance

Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group:

www.etkgroup.co.uk
info@etkgroup.co.uk