The thinking in this article emerged from the Redemptive Action Intensive held by Ziwani in Lake Naivasha, Kenya, with 24 investors, entrepreneurs, and social entrepreneurs from Africa and across the world.
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”
These familiar words from The Lord’s Prayer are often recited, but how deeply do we really consider their implications for every part of life, even extending to very specific scenarios, like the investment landscape across Africa? Could God’s kingdom, the vision of justice, flourishing, restored relationships – essentially shalom* – reshape not only our personal walk with God, but even our professional stewardship of resources?
Imagine, first, God’s original design for investment as an abundant, fruitful and thriving garden, tended by selfless and wise gardeners who share the responsibility equitably. In this vision, capital serves as a seed for shared prosperity, meant to benefit all families, communities, and future generations. Investors are the faithful gardeners, nurturing entrepreneurs and initiatives to thrive holistically. Success is measured not just financially but also by empowering relationships, dignity, unlocked potential and strong and healthy ecosystems.
In this ideal setting, principles of abundance, not scarcity, inform the investment decisions. All resources, financial, relational, and natural, are acknowledged as gifts from God to be stewarded for the flourishing of people and the earth. Regular rhythms of rest, reset, and redistribution prevent hoarding and cultivate generosity, not only of material wealth, but of thought, time, influence, attention, and knowledge.
Trust, transparency, and respect for one another, regardless of their rolesare foundational. Communication is clear, honest, and free of manipulation. Money moves openly to meet real needs. Creativity informs investment decisions, and genuine success includes healthy communities and thriving natural environments. When one part struggles, the entire ecosystem supports and strengthens it.
Equitable access means every entrepreneur, regardless of background or resources, can plant and cultivate their ideas. Investment potential of an entrepreneur is based on their integrity, willingness to learn and develop. Decisions are entrusted to local fund managers deeply embedded in their communities. Gardeners are not afraid of getting stuck in to cultivate new ground. Investments thus flow to both ambitious large-scale ventures and small emerging businesses. Patient guidance is provided throughout the process of growth.
This kind of investment demands courage: deem impractical, or even impossible, because they believe deeply in a broader definition of flourishing. Every entrepreneur and investor – in fact every single stakeholder – is seen as inherently valuable, carrying God’s image, and thus investments are oriented toward enabling their dignity and agency, rather than merely exploiting their productivity.
We may catch glimpses of this idyllic garden in small pockets, but unfortunately it is not the norm in the present-day investment landscape across Africa – or anywhere. We find instead widespread brokenness. Sin and its consequences have distorted relationships (with the Creator, with ourselves, with others and even with the earth) creating an environment driven primarily by self-interest, fear, and greed. Investors often have an inflated sense of their role and their competence. Capital is often hoarded or narrowly distributed, excluding many who are seen as outsiders due to fear, bias, or privilege. Cultural arrogance means that rather than cultivating a flourishing garden for all, we end up with exclusive, walled-off spaces that benefit only a select few.
In this reality, distorted as it is by sin, capital is frequently used as a tool of control and power, strengthening existing systems of privilege rather than challenging or changing them. Investors and fund managers sometimes prioritise profits above everything else, perpetuating transactional mindsets. Entrepreneurs, particularly from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds, are reduced to vehicles for financial returns rather than partners whose ideas and creativity contribute meaningfully to community transformation.
Due diligence processes, meant to mitigate risk, often unintentionally entrench geographic, racial, or gender-based biases, further marginalising entire communities. Investment expectations are often guided by undisclosed agendas and focus on quick profits, leading to a culture of anxiety, impatience, and short-term thinking, where few are willing to commit to the long-term process needed for real growth.
Afraid of losing money, investors often choose safe, familiar opportunities and overlook projects that are perceived as riskier, but could genuinely transform communities.
There is clearly a huge chasm between God’s design of shalom for all and today’s investment reality. As Christians deeply embedded in the marketplace, we have the responsibility and opportunity to step courageously into this gap, guided by Gospel-inspired imagination and action. So how can we practically start minimising this divide?
Firstly, we hold tightly to hope because Jesus has stepped into our brokenness, saved us and invited us to partner in His work of redeeming all things. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can serve in a way that reflects God’s plan for the world. We intentionally commit to applying the counter-narrative of the Gospel to the work we do as investors, committing to principles that glorify God and not ourselves:
1. Anchor every decision in Christ’s redemptive purpose
We begin by asking, “What is God’s intent for this investment?” We consider, “How might this capital contribute to genuine, shared human flourishing?” Our “why” should flow from the Creator’s heart, keeping our vision aligned with kingdom impact rather than short-term gains.
2. Adopt a stewardship mindset toward capital as seed
We must radically rethink how we steward capital. We view our resources as seed entrusted to us by the Owner, not only to back ventures already bearing fruit, but to nurture new growth in under-resourced, overlooked areas. In fact, faithful stewardship means intentionally planting in overlooked or previously uncultivated fields.
3. Embrace long-term horizons and seasonal rhythms
We resist the rush for quick, even scheduled, exits. True transformation often unfolds over seasons, years or even decades of relationship-building, infrastructure development, and skill nurturing. We are patient, fostering potential rather than simply chasing wins and quick harvests, trusting that the deepest roots yield a lasting harvest.
4. Frame risk through obedient faith and higher calling
We reframe risk not as something to evade at all costs, but as an invitation to faithful obedience: risk isn’t just about financial calculations; it’s a chance to show faithful obedience to God. We should ask ourselves, “What risks does obedience require of me? Which opportunities, aligned with God’s kingdom, call for courageous trust, even if others say they’re too risky?” By choosing risks guided by faith and wisdom, we create a culture of bold action rather than fear-driven hesitation.
5. Approach every context with genuine humility and a readiness to learn
We choose to stay humble and keep learning. This means facing hard truths and recognising the blind spots in our current systems. We check our assumptions, especially around credentials or “what we know”, and listen to local wisdom about what it takes to prepare the ground. Humble curiosity opens doors to insights and opportunities we might otherwise miss.
6. Honour relationship and shared dignity with all stakeholders
We see entrepreneurs and ecosystem actors as fellow image-bearers of God, not as deal counterparts. We cultivate solidarity: their successes and struggles matter to us personally. In every conversation, we seek to reflect respect for their inherent worth, beyond numbers on a term sheet. We honour their agency as local decision-makers, trusting them to shape outcomes that reflect their context and calling.
7. Prioritise character-centred trust and integrity of entrepreneurs
We assess not only technical metrics, but also qualities like perseverance, teachability, and honest communication. We help identify what entrepreneurs need to reach the next stage of their journey and support them in getting there. To support this, we can develop tools that assess investability using broader, values-based criteria, moving beyond insider networks. These tools would also help entrepreneurs understand what’s needed at each stage of their journey. When setbacks arise, we pay close attention to those who respond with integrity and resilience. On a redemptive path, honest failure paired with a learning posture often signals the potential for even greater future growth.
8. Commit to inclusive and equitable participation
The Gospel compels us to be intentionally diverse, breaking down barriers of privilege and exclusion. We intentionally widen our circles, across geographies, genders, backgrounds, and investor types, so that capital and opportunity don’t remain confined to familiar hubs or “already fertile” markets. We believe diversity enriches resilience, unlocks new ideas, and creates opportunities for meaningful change.
9. Share responsibility and de-risk collaboratively
We blend our financial resources with local expertise in genuine partnerships, sharing both upside and accountability. We put relational “skin in the game,” journeying alongside entrepreneurs through due diligence, support, and learning. Funding can de-risk areas of great brokenness by investing in solutions. When success comes, we celebrate together; when challenges arise, we work through them together.
10. Deploy capital sacrificially
We lean into sacrificial generosity by committing to ventures that align with our shared calling. We reflect on comforts or conventions we’re willing to sacrifice, trusting that such “losses” build deeper trust and unlock possibilities that purely risk-averse approaches overlook.
11. Build around ecosystem health and create trust platforms
We remember that investments sit within a broader ecosystem of mentors, institutions, policies, and community networks. Where possible, we help shape transparent, verifiable platforms, fund-of-funds/locally governed vehicles, that multiply trust across many participants, rather than each investor reinventing due diligence alone.
12. Democratise information and encourage an honest local narrative
We treat clear, accurate information as a shared good. Whether through neutral tools (e.g., AI “decoders”) or curated safe spaces for dialogue, we reduce information gaps while honouring confidentiality. Open, two-way conversations (without “sugar-coating” or overinflated promises) align expectations and lessen fear-driven biases on both sides.
13. Embrace resilience and treat failure as learning
We normalise setbacks as part of the cultivation process, especially where the ground has been uncultivated. Early failures become opportunities to adjust, learn, and deepen roots. With integrity and mutual support, perseverance leads to stronger outcomes and a more resilient ecosystem.
The opportunity, and the calling, is immense. Each of these shifts requires courageous action supported by humility, intentionality, and faithful obedience. By examining our hearts deeply and considering our true commitment to God’s purposes and the flourishing of Africa, we begin to apply these principles in our stewardship. As Christian investors, our greatest calling is to partner with God in His redeeming work, stewarding His resources with faithfulness and reflecting His character. In doing so, our investments become expressions of His kingdom, bring glory to His name, and lay foundations for lasting flourishing across the continent.
“Not to us, Lord, not to us,
but to your name give glory
because of your faithful love, because of your truth.”
Psalm 115:1
*Shalom: a Hebrew word that means peace. However, it carries a much deeper meaning than just the absence of conflict. It also encompasses wholeness, well-being, completeness, and prosperity.
Interested in conducting a Redemptive Action Intensive for your business or industry? Contact us at [email protected] for more details on how we can facilitate the process for you to discover the redemptive purpose in your field.
