Black-Owned Businesses Face $209bn Growth Challenge

Black-owned businesses in sub-Saharan Africa face a significant barrier to growth, with a $209bn gap in access to capital and investment opportunities. This challenge limits their ability to scale operations, create jobs, and expand production.

A report commissioned by British International Investment (BII) and Swedfund, with research conducted by Open Capital Advisors, highlights the underrepresentation of Black-owned businesses in larger firms. This lack of representation hampers their capacity to attract investment and grow.

The study, part of BII’s Black Ownership and Leadership for Development (BOLD) initiative, combines market analysis with stakeholder insights to evaluate the financing needs and structural barriers faced by Black-owned and -led businesses.