A propos – WIC CAPITAL

First investment fund to target companies founded or led by women in French-speaking West Africa.

Our story

In Senegal, access to finance for women entrepreneurs remains severely constrained, largely limited to traditional mechanisms such as banks and microfinance institutions. Data indicates that 43.9% of Senegalese women entrepreneurs who seek financing rely on family and friends, while only 3.5% access credit through formal financial institutions.

Beyond financial barriers, women-led enterprises also face structural challenges, including the lack of platforms offering tailored capacity building, strategic support, and technical assistance. As a result, these businesses often struggle to scale, with 99% remaining micro or small enterprises despite their strong potential for growth and impact.

Recognizing both the systemic gaps and the untapped economic opportunity represented by women entrepreneurs, a group of Senegalese women leaders came together to establish the Women’s Investment Club (WIC) Senegal- a pioneering initiative designed to catalyze women’s economic empowerment through innovative investment solutions.

In March 2019, WIC Senegal launched WIC Capital, the first investment vehicle in Francophone West Africa dedicated to financing and supporting women-led businesses

WIC Capital mobilizes blended capital, combining women’s savings with strategic partnerships, to deploy patient, impact-driven investments that foster inclusive growth, strengthen women’s leadership in the private sector, and drive measurable socio-economic transformation across the region.

Why invest in women?

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Gender disparity costs sub-Saharan Africa $95 billion each year.

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Globally, women-led businesses face a $320 billion credit gap, despite lower default rates

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In Africa, companies in the top quartile for women's representation on executive committees have a gross operating surplus 14% higher than the average.

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In developing countries, women invest 90% of their income in the education, health and nutrition of their children, thus constituting an effective vector of economic and social development.

Our vision

Creating national champions through the triptych:
• Privileged access to modern financial instruments
• Access to business networks
• Access to technical support

Our commitment

Invest in small and growing companies with strong growth potential, to foster the emergence of high-growth businesses that will contribute to the economic expansion of our countries

Our values

Integrity: Upholding commitments and ensuring transparency.

Discipline: Adhering rigorously to rules and objectives to guarantee efficiency and collective responsibility.

Generosity: A passion for challenges and a spirit of openness.

Rigor: honest relations with promoters and excellence in work

Commitment and Ambition: Contributing to the economic development of women, Senegal, and Africa. Innovation: Optimally structuring partnerships and tailoring technical support to meet the specific needs of the target audience.

Our approach

WIC Capital's objective is to identify and develop a portfolio of promising SMEs that will contribute to the development of the economies of Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and West Africa.

WIC Capital is a sector agnostic fund that invests between €100,000 and €1,000,000 through a mix of equity and quasi-equity structured as self-liquidating in companies founded by women, at least 50% owned by women, or with a predominantly female presence on the value chain.