This study makes the case that attaining gender equality in finance necessitates a fundamental change in how investment decisions are made and what types of knowledge are accepted, rather than merely increasing representation or reallocating capital. It draws attention to how traditional financial systems ignore the structural and social factors that influence markets in favor of firm-level performance. The analysis further highlights that decision-making procedures and epistemic authority are the sources of power in finance through the Criterion Institute’s ‘Advanced Practice’ framework, which is based on the values of will, integrity, accountability, and inclusion. By incorporating farmers’ lived experiences and market structures into investment analysis, Sahel Capital serves as an example of this strategy. This allows for more equitable outcomes across agricultural value chains by reframing risk and performance in systemic terms.