A Vision of Inclusive Investment

Radhika Bhachu, former relationship manager at BlackRock, returned to her native Kenya in 2020 with a mission: to bridge the gap between traditional investment systems and African savers. Through Ndovu, her Nairobi-based wealth management startup, she’s seeking to create pathways for broader participation in capital markets.

The Balancing Act of Growth

Bhachu acknowledges a tension many founders face—the need to prioritize revenue while staying true to an inclusive vision. Last year, Ndovu found that 80% of its income came from just 20% of clients (middle and upper-income earners). While the logical business move would be to double down on this segment, Bhachu emphasizes that her goal is wider access to investment opportunities.

“The vision is still everyone,” she explains. “But you can’t do everything at once. It’s just sequencing.” This approach reflects a commitment to building sustainable infrastructure rather than chasing immediate gains.

From Global Finance to Local Needs

Bhachu’s experience at BlackRock instilled in her the importance of long-term thinking and structured investment approaches—principles she’s now adapting to the African context. She notes that while many Africans are actively saving and building businesses, they often lack access to formal investment channels.

“People are already investing—in their children, their education, their businesses,” Bhachu observes. “We’re trying to provide additional avenues for them to grow their capital.” Ndovu has partnered with banks and telcos to embed its solutions within existing financial ecosystems.

A Cultural Perspective on Wealth

Growing up between Kenyan and Indian cultures shaped Bhachu’s understanding of money and responsibility. While Kenyan culture emphasizes community support, the Indian side instilled a focus on long-term family prosperity—both valuable perspectives for building wealth across generations.

Bhachu believes one area where African societies could improve is in normalizing conversations about finances: “We didn’t talk about money at the dinner table, but we knew our parents had a business. They encouraged us to network and explore different opportunities.” Ndovu’s forthcoming custodial product for children aims to address this gap by teaching financial literacy from an early age.

As Bhachu navigates the challenges of scaling a fintech startup in Africa, she remains focused on her core mission: creating equitable access to wealth-building tools for all communities—one step at a time.