Managing Partner, HEVA Fund
Wakiuru Njuguna is a seasoned expert in Africa’s creative industries, with over 15 years of
experience in structuring investment vehicles, raising capital, and deploying funding to
creative businesses across the continent. As Managing Partner at HEVA Fund, she has
been instrumental in designing and operationalizing innovative blended finance models that
combine venture capital and impact investment to unlock growth for cultural and creative
enterprises.
Her leadership has led to the mobilization of over USD 40 million and investments in more
than 100 creative businesses in Eastern Africa. She brings deep insight into how capital
should be structured, channeled, and supported to ensure that creative
ventures—particularly those led by women, youth, and underserved communities—can
thrive sustainably.
Wakiuru has been instrumental in the development and launching of targeted investment
facilities including the Young Women’s Creative Enterprise Fund, Thrive Fund, Cultural
Heritage Fund, Sanara, and the Next Narrative Africa Fund, each designed to address
market gaps and stimulate industry growth.
A 2023 BWAM 40 Under 40 Award recipient for Impact Investment, Wakiuru continues to
shape the continent’s creative future through research, training, ecosystem-building, and
policy engagement—driving sustainable growth for Africa’s creative economy.
