The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), Nigeria’s foremost platform for unlocking impact capital, has launched a decade-long strategy to embed gender equity and social inclusion in the country’s economy.
At its third Gender Impact Investment Summit (GIIS), themed “Investing in Equity: Advancing Gender-Led Solutions for Inclusive Development”, IIF unveiled the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Roadmap 2025–2035, alongside the Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035 campaign, aimed at mobilising inclusive capital and reshaping Nigeria’s investment landscape.
Developed in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria, the GESI Roadmap sets ambitious targets for the next 10 years, including:
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Mobilising $8 billion in cumulative gender-inclusive capital
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Launching 40 inclusive financial products for women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
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Ensuring 90% adoption of GESI principles by General Partners
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Raising $1.5 billion in domestic capital pools
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Enacting 20 new policies and regulatory instruments to drive inclusion
“This GESI Roadmap is not just a plan; it’s a blueprint for a significant shift in Nigeria’s economy,” said Etemore Glover, CEO of IIF. “It sets a powerful, decade-long course to democratize capital and transform opportunities for women, youth, and PwDs.”
By signing on to the Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035, stakeholders pledge to integrate GESI principles into investment decisions, mobilise inclusive financing, strengthen institutional capacity, and deliver measurable outcomes that empower underserved groups.
Ibukun Awosika, Chair of GSG Nigeria Partner and Vice Chair of GSG Impact, said the initiative moves Nigeria “beyond aspiration to accountability,” urging investors and policymakers to embed GESI principles into every financial decision.
Delivering the keynote address, Jessica Espinoza, CEO of 2X Global, underscored the urgency of intentional action: “Progress is strategic, not accidental. The GESI roadmap provides the critical framework to dismantle barriers, empower women and youth, and unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential.”
The summit, held at the Civic Centre in Lagos, featured panel discussions, fireside chats, and a dedicated deal room connecting women-led businesses with investors, fund managers, and development finance institutions.
The roadmap was supported by PwC Nigeria, GIZ, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Ministry of Youth Development, and the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund, backed by UK International Development.
With the unveiling of the GESI Roadmap and the Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035, IIF reaffirmed its mission to build a more inclusive economy—driving social impact and profit side by side.
