At the launch of the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Roadmap 2025-2035, held in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria, the CEO of IIF, Etemore Glover, stressed that the roadmap consists of a clear, actionable plan with ambitious targets.
She highlighted that it seeks to mobilise $8 billion in cumulative gender-inclusive capital, launching 40 inclusive financial products for women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PwDs).
She added that it aimed also to achieve 90 percent integration of GESI principles by General Partners, mobilise $1.5 billion from domestic capital pools, and enact 20 new policy and regulatory instruments, among others.
‘This GESI Roadmap is not just a plan; it’s a blueprint for a significant shift in Nigeria’s economy. The scale of the targets underscores our profound commitment to a future where no one is left behind. This incredibly exciting moment sets a powerful, decade-long course to democratise capital and transform our investment landscape for women, youth, and people with disabilities (PwDs),’ she said.
Ibukun Awosika, Chair of GSG Nigeria Partner and Vice Chair of GSG Impact, emphasised the campaign’s significance, noting that it will empower women and PwDs.
‘The GESI roadmap moves us beyond aspiration to accountability, demanding that stakeholders not only mobilise inclusive capital at scale but also embed GESI principles into every investment decision and policy.
By doing so, we can close existing gaps, unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential, and ensure our growth is truly equitable and transformative,’ she said.
Jessica Espinoza, CEO of 2X Global, a global industry body for gender lens investing, in her keynote address, stressed the need for intentional action.
‘Progress is strategic, not accidental, which is why the GESI roadmap is a critical blueprint for Nigeria’s future.
It provides a vital framework for intentionally dismantling financial barriers, empowering women, youth, and people with disabilities, and unlocking the nation’s full economic potential,’ she said.