Who is Wakiuru Njuguna? All about Kenyan Financier

At the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 in Algiers, one of the strongest Kenyan voices shaping discussions on business and culture is Wakiuru Njuguna. She is not just a panelist but also a trailblazer in financing and structuring East Africa’s creative economy. Her work sits at the crossroads of finance, culture, and enterprise development, making her one of the most influential champions of Africa’s creative industries today.

Partner at HEVA Fund

Wakiuru Njuguna is a Managing Partner and Investment Manager at the HEVA Fund, an East African organisation dedicated to financing creative enterprises. HEVA focuses on the “missing middle” — businesses that are too advanced for microfinance yet often overlooked by banks and big investors.

The fund has built a diverse portfolio, supporting enterprises in fashion, film, live music, digital media, and crafts. Through HEVA, Njuguna helps creative entrepreneurs access much-needed capital and business development support.

Education and Professional Background

Her career is rooted in finance and investment. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Science (Finance) from the University of Cape Town and later completed a Master’s degree in Commerce at Strathmore University.

Wakiuru is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder — one of the most respected professional titles in investment management. Before joining HEVA, she worked in investment banking and private equity, gaining solid expertise in financial structuring.

This foundation allows her to design financial products tailored for the creative industry, helping to transform unstructured businesses into profitable and scalable ventures.

Role at HEVA Fund

At HEVA, Njuguna identifies promising businesses, conducts due diligence, and structures deals that de-risk creative investments. Her mission is to show the wider financial sector that creative ventures are commercially viable.

So far, HEVA has:

• Invested in over 40 businesses

• Supported more than 8,000 creative practitioners

• Enabled young people and women to access capital and create jobs

For example, every USD 10,000 invested in film production creates about five new jobs, directly contributing to employment and economic growth.

Champion of Gender-Lens Investing

Njuguna strongly advocates for gender-lens investing, ensuring that women — who form a large part of the creative workforce — are not left behind. By addressing financial barriers faced by women, she fosters inclusion, innovation, and growth in the cultural economy.

Personal Life

Outside of her professional life, Wakiuru Njuguna is a mother of three. She balances family responsibilities with her demanding role in creative finance, reflecting the realities of many Kenyan professionals.

Why She Matters

Through her leadership, Wakiuru Njuguna has proven that the creative economy is more than just art and entertainment — it is a serious economic driver capable of generating jobs, boosting revenue, and shaping Africa’s future.

Her efforts at HEVA Fund are not only transforming individual businesses but also strengthening Kenya’s position as a hub for innovation, fashion, film, and digital culture in Africa.