Senior government officials, regulators, development finance institutions and business leaders have launched the Nigeria Gender Country Program (NGCP), signalling a coordinated push to position gender inclusion as a driver of business competitiveness, investment and long-term economic growth.
The initiative, led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), aligns advisory expertise, funding and partnerships to strengthen women’s representation in leadership, improve access to quality employment, and expand access to finance, technology and markets for women and women-led businesses.
Building on the CEO Roundtable held in June and the progress achieved through Nigeria2Equal, IFC’s earlier initiative, NGCP now moves into implementation, with participating organisations expected to adopt practical, measurable gender-smart business practices.
The economic case is significant with the program underpinned by research showing that closing gaps in women’s leadership, employment and entrepreneurship could generate an estimated US$22.9 billion in additional economic output annually, reinforcing the economic case for stronger private sector action on gender inclusion.
Speaking at the launch, the Group Chairman of NGX Group, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, said the program represents a shift from dialogue to action, describing women’s economic participation as an economic imperative rather than a social aspiration. “Advancing women’s economic participation is no longer simply a social aspiration; it is a business imperative, an investment in productivity, a catalyst for innovation and a driver of sustainable economic growth.
Through the Nigeria Gender Country Program, we are creating a practical framework that will help businesses strengthen leadership, expand opportunity and unlock the inclusion dividend for Nigeria’s economy.”
Representing the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for women-led enterprises and strengthening inclusive economic development, while the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, represented by Aishatu Digili, called for stronger collaboration between government, development institutions and the private sector to accelerate women’s economic empowerment and expand opportunities for women across key sectors of the economy.
Delivering IFC’s remarks, Olivier Buyoya, Division Director for West and Central Africa, said the program reflects IFC’s commitment to helping businesses translate gender inclusion into stronger competitiveness and sustainable growth. “Creating more and better jobs is central to IFC’s mission across Africa. Economies grow faster and businesses perform better when women have equal opportunities to participate, lead, innovate and succeed.
Through the Nigeria Gender Country Program, we are bringing together the private sector, capital markets and development partners to help companies turn this opportunity into stronger business performance, greater competitiveness and more inclusive growth. We look forward to working with Nigerian businesses to unlock the full economic potential of women as a driver of Nigeria’s future prosperity,” he said.
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