New Faces New Voices South Africa (NFNV- SA)
A National Movement Advancing Women’s Financial Inclusion
New Faces New Voices South Africa (NFNV-SA) is the South African chapter of New Faces New Voices, a pan-African initiative of the Graça Machel Trust dedicated to expanding the role and influence of women in Africa’s financial sector.
Launched in May 2025, NFNV-SA brings together women leaders, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, regulators, and ecosystem partners to drive systemic transformation in finance through a gender-responsive lens.
As the host partner, the Africa Women in Financial Inclusion Initiative (AWFII) anchors the chapter’s operations, convening power, and national impact programmes.
Our Vision
A South Africa where women fully and equally participate in the financial sector—as leaders, decision-makers, entrepreneurs, investors, and economic contributors.
Our Mission
To remove structural barriers that limit women’s access to finance, leadership and economic opportunity, and to build an ecosystem that enables women to thrive.
What We Do
1. Leadership & Representation
We work to increase the visibility, readiness and influence of women in senior finance roles, regulatory spaces, and boardrooms.
2. Access to Finance & Markets
We collaborate with banks, investors, DFIs, and corporates to open capital flows, procurement opportunities, and market access for women-led enterprises.
3. Policy & Systems Change
We advocate for gender-responsive policy reform, address bias in financial institutions, and generate research that drives evidence-based change.
Why NFNV-SA Matters
Despite strong entrepreneurial activity among women, South African women continue to face:
> Limited access to business finance and investment
> Underrepresentation in senior financial leadership
> Structural biases in lending and procurement
> Barriers to wealth-building and financial security
NFNV-SA exists to change this reality—building not just individual capacity, but transforming
the financial system itself.
Our Our Partnership with AWFII
AWFII serves as the host and implementing partner for NFNV-SA, providing:
> Strategic leadership and governance
> Programme design and implementation
> National and regional convening platforms
> Research, advocacy and ecosystem partnerships
> Integration with the HER Economy programmes.
Together, AWFII and NFNV-SA are building a coordinated, high-impact movement for
women’s financial inclusion across the country.
Flagship Initiatives
> Women in Finance Leadership Masterclasses
> Financial Inclusion Policy Roundtables
> SME Capital & Investment Clinics
> Research & Thought Leadership Papers
> The Women in Finance Network
> National and provincial dialogues
> Annual Women’s Financial Inclusion Summit
Join the Movement
NFNV-SA is open to:
Women professionals in finance
> Women-owned SMMEs
> Financial institutions
> Investors & partners
> Policymakers & ecosystem organisations
Be part of the community shaping a more inclusive financial future for South Africa.
