The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Chairperson of the Nigerian National Advisory Board for Impact Investing, Ibukun Awosika and some other stakeholders want obstacles removed in women’s financing.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, Awosika and other stakeholders to this end have all issued a rallying call, asking for the dismantling of the barriers that stop women-led businesses from accessing the much-needed capital.
They made this call on Wednesday at the second Gender Impact Investment Summit, an event that was organised by the Impact Investors Foundation in Lagos State.
“Improving access to capital and finance for women-led businesses has been made a high-impact deliverable for our ministry,” Special Adviser, Fatima Abdullah said on behalf of Minister, Kennedy-Ohanenye.
“This is not just another directive, it is a transformative step that underscores this administration’s commitment to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs.
“We are working hard for women to access capital, which will in turn drive economic growth. I urge all of you to seize this moment to work together to dismantle barriers that limit women’s access to finance and investment.”
Awosika who is the Vice Chair of Global Starting Group for Impact Investment said in her address that women’s ability to contribute to the nation’s economic development on a sustainable basis had witnessed vast improvement through impact investing.
The Chairman of Impact Investors Foundation, Engr. Afolabi Oladele also spoke, urging investors to bridge the financing gap.
Oladele further called on investors to help in the area of fuel inclusive enterprises and support entrepreneurs to create thriving businesses that could contribute to economic development in Nigeria.
“Let us transform our promise into progress, and our aspirations into tangible outcomes. Together, let us bridge the financing gap, fuel inclusive enterprises, and create a Nigeria where entrepreneurs can flourish and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s economic development,” he said.
