Strengths Africa’s Post

Yesterday, I had the honour of speaking at the 2025 Gender Inclusion Conference in Abuja, where Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, launched #SheIsIncluded - a bold initiative to close gender gaps in finance and economic opportunities. Gender inclusion is not charity - it’s smart economics. The evidence is clear: when women win, everyone wins - families flourish, businesses thrive, and economies prosper. At UBA Plc, we see this daily, with nearly 50% women on our Board and a leadership pipeline that reflects true inclusion. This is more than a conference - it’s a movement. Now is the time to break barriers, build resilience, and create a Nigeria where no woman is left behind. #SmartEconomics #SheIsIncluded #BreakingBarriers #WhenWomenWin

Episode 2 of the Her Leadership series is here! We’re excited to feature Christine Onyango, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), the umbrella body for Kenya’s 46 banks. In this episode, Christine sheds light on the progress in women's leadership, particularly in the banking industry, where the number of women in top positions continues to rise. She also shares KBA’s efforts to champion gender diversity through initiatives like the Leading Women in Banking Workshops and offers practical insights on how banks can: 🌟Foster supportive policies for women in the workplace. 🌟Create environments that balance career growth and family life. 🌟Conduct gender studies to ensure equal representation in the industry. Join us as we celebrate women driving change in leadership. Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/dk3jJmCw #HerLeadership #WomenInBanking #GenderDiversity #KBA #LeadershipMatters

#SaudiArabia has seen an incredible transformation since the launch of #Vision2030. At the core of these changes are labor market reforms creating more and better jobs, especially for youth and women. We @worldbank are proud to be a close partner in this journey. #GLMC2025

#Investment Impact investing: where ethics meet exceptional returns Companies championing gender equality in Africa are not only driving inclusivity, they are also delivering strong returns for investors. 📈 Research shows that companies with strong female leadership often outperform their peers, proving that impact investing can be highly profitable. Consider investing in African companies that prioritise: ✅Women in leadership: look for companies with significant representation of women in senior management. ✅Diversity & inclusion: look for companies with robust policies and initiatives to promote gender equality and workforce diversity. These companies include SAPH , Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire, PALMCI, FILTISAC SA, NSIA: Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Orange Business CI, SONATEL Sénégal and Nestlé Côte d'Ivoire. By investing in women's empowerment, you are contributing to economic growth and a more equitable future for Africa. 🤝We are here to support you in your African investments. With our market expertise and network of partners, we offer bespoke solutions to help you succeed. At Hamilcar, we specialise in facilitating block trades, managing assets and investment advisory. I want to seize opportunities: 📩 info@hamilcarcapital.com 📲Follow us on Linkedin: https://lnkd.in/efzcibRf #HamilcarCapital #Investment #InvestingInAfrica #SustainableInvesting #FrontierMarkets #ImpactInvesting #WomenInLeadership #Africa Sifca Michelin Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM) - UEMOA ©️McKinsey & Company

Asian Development Bank (ADB) and SECP organised a two-day Training of Trainers (#ToT) workshop on December 17-18, 2024, to promote Gender #Diversity in Non-Banking Microfinance Companies (#NBMFCs). Representatives from all NBMFCs regulated by SECP participated in the session, which focused on fostering #inclusion and tailoring financial services for women, who make up over 70% of the sector’s clients. The workshop aimed to address #gender bias, implement inclusive workplace policies, and design #financial products suited to women’s needs. SECP’s Executive Director, Khalida Habib, stated, “This initiative is crucial for advancing gender #equity in Pakistan’s financial sector, empowering companies to meet national goals of inclusion and equality.” Similarly, ADB’s Deputy Country Director, Asad Aleem, emphasized, “Gender diversity is essential for #sustainable-development. This collaboration highlights our commitment to creating inclusive financial systems that empower women and support #economic resilience.” Additionally, SECP hosted a session on December 23, 2024, focusing on the Consumer Protection Framework for NBMFCs and its link to the #Women Equality in Finance Policy. This reinforced SECP’s dedication to balancing gender equity with strong #consumer #safeguards. The ToT model ensures lasting impact by equipping participants to #train colleagues, amplifying the initiative’s reach. This collaboration reflects ADB’s and SECP’s shared vision of empowering women and fostering #inclusive growth in #Pakistan. #DigitalPakistan #TechUpdate

In this #AFIS2024 panel, IFC - International Finance Corporation's Gender and Inclusion Director, Nathalie Akon, and experts from Ecobank, SanlamAllianz, and Access Bank Plc explore how gender bonds can empower women-led MSMEs across Africa.

Economic empowerment is key to achieving gender equality and driving sustainable development. Women Impacting Nigeria (WIN) is dedicated to providing women with the tools, skills, and resources they need to thrive. Our initiatives focus on: 🔹 Skill Development and Training: Partnering with stakeholders, we offer digital skills training and vocational programs to equip women with essential skills for the modern workforce. 🔹 Entrepreneurship Support: We empower female entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, and business development resources, fostering innovation and job creation. 🔹 Advocacy and Policy Engagement: WIN advocates for policies that promote women’s economic rights and gender equality, working with government bodies to influence legislation. 🔹 Financial Inclusion: Our programs promote financial literacy and inclusion, ensuring women have access to banking services, credit facilities, and financial education. 🔹 Community Development: WIN’s projects provide women with the means to generate income, improve their living standards, and contribute to community development. Join us in our mission to create a more equitable and prosperous society. Let's make a difference! 🔗 [Learn More About Our Programs] https://lnkd.in/dMs64hqT #WomenImpactingNigeria #WIN #NGO #EconomicEmpowerment #FinancialInclusion #MakingADifference #InvestInWomen #SustainableDevelopment

Closing the Gender Gap: The Rise of Female Entrepreneurs in South Africa In South Africa, the rise of female entrepreneurship is making significant strides in closing the gender gap, driven by a mix of opportunity and necessity. https://lnkd.in/dKZNuqmC #womenworldmagazine #gendergap #southafrica 

Africa is making strides toward equal opportunities and modernization. A significant milestone is the appointment of Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the Democratic Republic of Congo's first female prime minister. This historic event highlights the growing recognition of women's leadership in African governance, marking progress toward gender equality. Entrepreneurs across the continent are also championing equal opportunities by actively employing women, leading to positive outcomes and contributing to a fairer society. To support such initiatives, various funding programs are available for African entrepreneurs: USADF Grants: Offers grants up to $250,000 to underserved community enterprises. Prospera Africa D-Prize Startup Grants: Provides up to $20,000 for social entrepreneurs tackling poverty. Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme: Offers $5,000 seed grants to African entrepreneurs. USAID Co-Investment Grants: Provides up to $2 million for West African businesses promoting exports and investments. Let's continue to promote equal opportunities and work together to create a future where everyone can reach their full potential. Change must come from both the top (governments) and the grassroots (businesses and entrepreneurs). Courageous entrepreneurs play a crucial role by providing opportunities to people. #AfricaRising #GenderEquality #WomenInLeadership #Entrepreneurship #InclusiveGrowt

OeEB has recently signed a new long-term investment of USD 20 million with Khan Bank, one of Mongolia's leading financial institutions. 🤝 Founded in 1991, Khan Bank is a particularly well-suited partner and financial intermediary, distinguished by its historical roots and an extensive network of 547 branches across the country. 🏦 This credit facility will be used to finance local #MSMEs, with a special focus on businesses owned or managed by women. By improving access to finance for MSMEs, the initiative contributes significantly to strengthening the private sector while securing and creating jobs. Most importantly, it aims to promote gender equality in Mongolia, with at least 60% of the loan funds allocated to women-owned or women-led businesses. ⚖️ Many thanks for their commitment and congratulations to the deal team: Reinhard Zeitlberger, Doris Supanz, Bernhard Waclik, Barbara Linder, Petra Lang, Petra Langschwert, Florian Meister, Raffaela Magnussen, Sophie-Marie Hofer, Susanne Boesch and Kristin Duchateau! Click here for further information 👉 https://bit.ly/3PF5Rdk #GenderEquality #LocalBusiness #fin4dev Photograph: KhanBank