IFC, NGX Group, LCCI Launch Gender Inclusion Programme to Boost Women’s Economic Participation

The International Finance Corporation, NGX Group, and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry have formally introduced the Nigeria Gender Country Program (NGCP), a new private-sector-driven initiative aimed at expanding women’s participation in leadership, employment, and economic opportunity across Nigeria.

The programme was unveiled during a high-level virtual CEO roundtable that brought together chief executives from NGX-listed firms, IFC partner organisations, and members of the LCCI. The session served as an early engagement platform to align stakeholders around the programme’s objectives ahead of its official public launch.

According to the partners, the NGCP is designed as a more coordinated framework that builds on earlier initiatives such as Nigeria2Equal. It seeks to consolidate efforts already underway in promoting workplace inclusion, women’s entrepreneurship, leadership development, and sustainable finance.

At the core of the programme are three strategic focus areas: increasing women’s representation in leadership positions, improving access to quality jobs, and expanding women’s access to productive resources such as finance, technology, and markets.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria, Emomotimi Agama, described gender inclusion as a key driver of economic performance rather than a social add-on. He argued that closing gender gaps could unlock significant value for Nigeria’s economy while improving productivity and innovation across sectors.

He urged businesses to treat inclusion as a strategic priority embedded in corporate planning and governance, rather than a compliance or corporate social responsibility obligation.

Also speaking, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, said the capital market has a central role to play in advancing gender inclusion. He noted that stronger collaboration between regulators, investors, and corporates would help scale opportunities for women across leadership and enterprise development.

Representing the IFC, Christian Mulamula highlighted the economic cost of gender inequality, stressing that closing the gap could significantly improve productivity and competitiveness across Africa. He added that the NGCP would focus on practical, measurable interventions that support women’s leadership and business growth, building on lessons from Nigeria2Equal.

The Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chinyere Almona, emphasized the importance of sustained leadership commitment from the private sector. She said the success of the initiative would depend on how deeply gender inclusion is embedded into corporate strategy and execution.

The partners are expected to formally inaugurate the Nigeria Gender Country Program at a physical launch event scheduled for July 9, 2026, where implementation plans and stakeholder commitments will be further detailed.