Jacqueline Novogratz: Patient capitalism

The speaker shares her journey from Wall Street to Africa, where she learned the importance of listening and humility. She founded a microfinance institution and transformed a charity-run bakery into a successful business. Key lessons include the importance of dignity over wealth, the limitations of charity, and the need for market solutions. She established Acumen Fund to support social enterprises, investing in companies like Advanced Bio-Extracts and A to Z Manufacturing, which address public health issues like malaria while creating jobs and fostering economic growth.

What was the speaker's initial intention upon arriving in Africa?

• To learn French

• To save the world

• To explore the culture

• To start a business

What was the main issue with the bakery run by 20 women?

• It was a charity, not a business

• It was too expensive to run

• It had too many employees

• It was located in a poor area

What does the speaker identify as more important than wealth?

• Dignity

• Education

• Freedom

• Health

What is the primary focus of the Acumen Fund?

• Providing loans to large corporations

• Funding political campaigns

• Investing in luxury goods

• Investing in enterprises for the poor

What is the main product of Advanced Bio-Extracts Limited?

• Cotton

• Artemisia

• Coffee

• Maize

What was the innovative product developed by A to Z manufacturing?

• Cooking stoves

• Malaria bed nets

• Water filters

• Solar panels

What challenge does A to Z manufacturing face despite its success?

• High production costs

• Lack of skilled workers

• Limited market access

• Dependence on a single customer

What does the speaker suggest as a way to give people the dignity of choice?

• Reducing taxes

• Increasing government aid

• Using market-driven solutions

• Providing free services

What personal story does the speaker share to illustrate the importance of opportunity?

• Her father's business

• Her children's education

• Her journey in Africa

• Her grandmother's life

What does the speaker emphasize as crucial for solving problems of poverty?

• Listening and investing in entrepreneurs

• Reducing government intervention

• Building more schools

• Increased foreign aid