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Lunch Roundtable and Networking in Cape Town


On December 1st, 2025, the Impact Principles Secretariat convened an Impact Principles Lunch Roundtable and Networking event in Cape Town, South Africa, organized in partnership with African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), Southern African Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SAVCA), and 2X Global, and with support from UK International Development.

With over 40 regional and global participants, and centering on our theme of Global Standards, Local Contexts, the event was a testament to the value of local and global ecosystem partners working together to achieve common goals. In addition to a brief presentation from Head of Secretariat Joohee Rand, the event featured two panel discussions: an investor panel with Signatory speakers from Old Mutual Alternative Investments, Phastisa, and AfricInvest, and an ecosystem panel moderated by the GIIN’s Shundil Selim with representatives from SAVCA, 2X Global, AVPA, and the Bertha Centre.

The conversations surfaced a few key takeaways:

  • Diversity in LP Base and Evolving IMM Practices: There are increasingly diverse asset owners investing for impact in the region, extending beyond DFIs to include local pensions and family offices. IMM practices are also evolving rapidly in response to market demands for Africa-specific knowledge and understanding of impact

  • Making Global Standards Work for Local Contexts: IMM practices must reflect Africa’s realities, tailoring data and tools to reflect regional systems, business realities and beneficiaries, while aligning with global standards. Streamlining data and reporting requirements across multiple standards and LPs remains a challenge.

  • Africa-relevant IMM Capacity Building and Education: There are growing opportunities for IMM training, education, and capacity building in Africa, spearheaded by both DFIs and local field-building organizations. This includes technical assistance for emerging managers and efforts to educate local asset owners on IMM best practices. Experienced impact GPs can lead by educating their LPs.

  • Data and Storytelling: Panelists called on African investors to share more robust regional stories of impact, innovation, and learning globally. This would also require improving data collection and collaboration to elevate African voices.

  • Scaling African Innovation: African investors can drive globally relevant IMM innovations from the frontlines, and in some cases are already taking the lead. Improved data, knowledge sharing and collective ownership over IMM, as well as technical advances like AI-assisted data platforms, can help leapfrog legacy systems in established impact markets


We look forward to continuing this conversation and working with local and regional partners to promote impact management best practices across emerging and global markets.