The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) has unveiled an ambitious plan to mobilize $8 billion in gender-inclusive capital over the next decade, as part of its newly launched Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Roadmap 2025–2035. The announcement was made during the third Gender Impact Investment Summit (GIIS) held in Lagos, under the theme “Investing in Equity: Advancing Gender-Led Solutions for Inclusive Development.”
A Blueprint for Inclusive Economic Transformation
Developed in partnership with PwC Nigeria, the GESI Roadmap outlines a comprehensive 10-year strategy to embed inclusive investment practices into Nigeria’s economic framework. The roadmap aims to unlock opportunities for women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), while catalyzing transformative growth across sectors.
Key targets of the roadmap include:
- $8 billion in cumulative gender-inclusive capital
- 40 inclusive financial products tailored to underserved groups
- $1.5 billion mobilized from domestic capital pools
- 90% adoption of GESI principles by General Partners
- 20 new policy and regulatory instruments enacted to support inclusive finance
Etemore Glover, CEO of IIF, said:
This 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.
Driving Action Through the Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035
To ensure delivery, IIF also launched the Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035 campaign, urging stakeholders, including government agencies, investors, market enablers, and intermediaries, to pledge measurable actions. These include:
- Mobilizing inclusive capital at scale
- Embedding GESI principles in investment decisions
- Delivering tangible outcomes for women, youth, and PwDs
Stakeholder Perspectives
Frank Aigbogun, Chairman of IIF, emphasized that financial exclusion remains a major constraint on Nigeria’s growth potential:
This GESI Roadmap is not a social add-on; it is an economic imperative. By intentionally dismantling financial barriers, we unlock immense, untapped potential, ensuring that economic growth in Nigeria is not only rapid but also truly equitable and transformative.
Ibukun Awosika, Chair of GSG Nigeria Partner, stressed the importance of accountability:
The GESI roadmap moves us beyond aspiration to accountability, demanding that stakeholders embed GESI principles into every investment decision and policy, enabling us to close financing gaps and unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential.
Jessica Espinoza, CEO of 2X Global, echoed the sentiment, calling the roadmap a critical tool for dismantling systemic financial barriers and empowering marginalized groups.
Creating Real Investment Opportunities
Beyond policy and strategy, the summit featured a dedicated deal room that connected women-led and women-owned businesses with impact investors, fund managers, and development finance institutions, creating direct pathways for capital deployment and business growth.
Complementary Initiatives
In a related effort to close Nigeria’s gender finance gap, the Bank of Industry (BOI) recently launched Project Guaranteed Loans for Women (GLOW), a ₦10 billion intervention fund aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs nationwide.
Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director of BOI, highlighted that Nigeria leads globally in women’s entrepreneurial activity, with 23 million female entrepreneurs accounting for 41% of the country’s micro-businesses. However, access to finance remains a significant barrier.
This funding is designed to empower women who are pivotal to Nigeria’s economic growth.
