Nigeria's $6.75 Billion Gender Financing Gap Exposed

Nigeria is confronted with a $6.75 billion gender financing gap, as reported during the 4th Gender Impact Investment Summit held in Lagos. Stakeholders, including the CEO of the Impact Investor Foundation, Etemor Glover, noted that women, youth, and persons living with disabilities are largely excluded from accessing finance.

Despite a commitment to mobilize $8 billion in inclusive capital by 2035, only $1.25 billion has been deployed so far, revealing a significant structural gap in Nigeria's inclusive ecosystem. A survey indicated that while 91 organizations claim alignment with gender equality and social inclusion objectives, only 41 have formal Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) policies in place.

Vice Chair of the Global Steering Group on Impact Investment, Ibukun Awosika, stated that gender inclusion should be viewed as a core economic strategy. Former Central Bank Governor Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II attributed slow progress to weak political will among male-dominated policymakers.

The summit also introduced the GESI Roadmap 2025-2035, aiming for ambitious milestones including the creation of 40 inclusive financial products.