4DX Ventures, the New York, Accra and Cairo-based pan-African VC firm, has strengthened its leadership bench by promoting one of its early hires, Harriet Adinkrah, to Principal.

Her promotion comes at a time when women remain underrepresented in senior investment roles across Africa’s private capital industry. According to the Gender Diversity in African Private Capital report, women account for 24% of senior investment professionals at private capital firms investing across the continent. Adinkrah’s move into a Principal role therefore adds another woman to the senior ranks of Africa’s investment industry.

Adinkrah joined 4DX Ventures in September 2018, about a year after the firm was founded, as an Investment Analyst. Eight years later, she has risen through the ranks from Analyst to Investment Associate, Investment Manager and now Investment Principal.

She is also one of the firm’s longest-serving investment professionals.

At 4DX Ventures, Adinkrah has worked across deal sourcing, due diligence, investment research and portfolio management. Her work has contributed to the firm’s investment activities across sub-Saharan Africa, alongside engagement with founders and co-investors across the region.

Her promotion to Principal gives her greater responsibility in the firm’s investment process and its relationships with founders. Principals at venture capital firms typically take greater ownership of sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, leading due diligence, supporting deal execution and working with portfolio companies after investment.