Sterling One Foundation has issued a call for strategic partnerships to tackle the $1.7 trillion financing gap confronting women entrepreneurs. This appeal was made during the 10th annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality/Closing Gong ceremony held at the Nigerian Exchange Group.
Under the theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ stakeholders convened to discuss the hurdles impeding Nigerian women’s full potential and to explore avenues for their advancement.
Speakers emphasized the pressing need to narrow the gender gap by advocating for greater inclusion of women in leadership positions, investing in enterprises led by women, bolstering capacity-building initiatives, and offering strategic support to female leaders across various sectors.
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Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, highlighted the significance of partnerships in expediting progress for women, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17. She showcased the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) as a platform for fostering innovative solutions to Africa’s developmental challenges through strategic collaborations.
Dr. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, Divisional Head of Business Support Services/General Counsel of Nigerian Exchange Limited, underscored gender equality as a catalyst for exponential growth within the Nigerian Capital Market and the broader economy.
Oluwasoromidayo George, Chair of the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria Board, stressed the importance of closing the gender gap to achieve SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by 2030, highlighting the private sector’s role in driving progress.
The United Nations estimated that the gender pay gap costs the global economy $160 trillion annually. Addressing this gap will unlock significant opportunities for advancement across the SDGs.
The event featured speakers such as Olubukanla Rufai from the Securities and Exchange Commission, Yemisi Ayeni from NASCON Allied Industries Plc, and Bolanle Austen-Peters from Terra Kulture, fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration to drive transformative progress for women in Nigeria and across Africa.