Independent (Ayodele Oluwaropo)

As a PhD researcher and SDG advocate, my mission is to unlock the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa, driving inclusive and sustainable development. I am deeply committed to bridging the gap between impactful SMEs and the investment they need to grow, scale, and contribute meaningfully to the SDGs. My research focuses on enhancing access to impact investment for SMEs, addressing critical challenges in climate action, gender equality, clean energy, education, and decent work. These enterprises often operate with lean resources but immense potential. They create jobs, deliver essential services, and build resilient communities. However, a persistent barrier remains: limited access to the right type of funding that aligns with their vision and values. My work addresses this challenge by exploring how blended finance, catalytic capital, and innovative financial instruments can be mobilised more effectively to support SMEs committed to both purpose and profit. I aim to contribute evidence-based strategies that can help impact-driven businesses have access to finance while also encouraging investors to adapt their models to better serve the needs of local entrepreneurs. Through my research, consulting, and fieldwork, I aim to collaborate with SMEs, financial institutions, development actors, and policymakers to co-create practical solutions that can shift systems and unlock scalable impact. Joining the Catalyst Now Network represents a vital opportunity to deepen this mission. I believe in the power of collective intelligence, cross-sector collaboration, and open knowledge to accelerate social innovation. Being part of a global community of changemakers allows me to learn from diverse perspectives, share insights from my research, and contribute to building an enabling ecosystem for inclusive economic growth. My ultimate goal is to help create an Africa where entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to local and global challenges are not held back by a lack of financing, but are empowered with the capital, networks, and policy support they need to thrive. By focusing on the intersection of climate finance, SME development, and systems change, I am working toward an economic future that is equitable, sustainable, and grounded in local realities. This is not just academic work for me; it is personal. I come from a background where I have witnessed the ingenuity and resilience of local entrepreneurs, and I understand the transformative role they can play when given the right support. Through Catalyst Now, I look forward to collaborating with fellow innovators who are equally passionate about reimagining systems and building a future that works for everyone.