The Gender Leader Awards, which is being implemented under the Nigeria2Equal (N2E) program, is designed to recognize, and celebrate private sector companies leading the way in Gender Equality Performance across a broad range of indices.

Ecobank Nigeria was an awardee in the Gender Diversity in Supply Chain category at the high-level event by priivate sector company chief executives, business leaders and dignitaries including the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Speaking during the award ceremony, Ms. Dahlia Khalifa, IFC’s Regional Director, Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, commended the progress of Nigeria2Equal’s participating companies in advancing the role of women in their organizations.

Khalifa said;

“As we celebrate the accomplishments of these organizations who have shown outstanding leadership in closing the gender gaps within their own organizations, we acknowledge the power of collaboration and the transformative impact that specific, measurable, and time-bound commitments can have on achieving gender parity in Nigeria’s private sector. IFC remains resolute in our commitment to sustain the momentum and support the private sector to scale up its efforts for a more gender-balanced, prosperous future.”

Receiving the award, Carol Oyedeji, Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, said Ecobank has policies and structures in place that promote gender balance in its employment, stressing that the recognitions are a testament of Ecobank Nigeria’s significant contributions to advancing gender equality within the organization and by extension, in Nigeria’s private sector.

She disclosed that the bank also has many initiatives and innovative products targeted at empowering and sustaining female entrepreneurs in Nigeria such as ‘Ellevate’ and ‘Ecobank Female Entrepreneurs Initiative (EFEI)’, which are designed to empower and support female owned small-scale businesses. According to her;

“Across Ecobank, we are intent on ensuring that all women can reach their full potential and always have equal opportunities to men in advancing their careers and achieving promotion. Female staff are holding strategic leadership and management positions in the organization. We are committed to creating a society and workplace that is free of bias and gender-based discrimination”.

Reviewing data from Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) which shows a relative gender gap of 33% in Nigeria’s financial inclusion rate between men and women, it is imperative to foster discussions that seek to improve financial literacy and impact the financial well-being of Nigerian women.

The summit held at the Grand Junction Hall, Landmark Towers on the 3rd of April 2023 themed “Promoting Financial Inclusion and Independence for Women”, had Bolt’s female employees, Bolt’s female drivers, and Tosin Olaseinde, Founder of Money Africa, all gathered to discuss the prospect of closing the financial inclusion gap and promoting financial independence.

While speaking at the event, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Senior Public Policy Manager for West and Central Africa, discussed the importance of the summit for Bolt. She said, “Diversity, equity, and inclusion is important to the fabric of Bolt. This year’s summit  we decided to take it a step further by delving beyond tech into the well-being of female entrepreneurs on our platforms and our female employees. After deliberating on the key issues impacting their well-being, we decided to focus the summit on tools to promote financial independence and safety, which tie into the core values of Bolt.

At Bolt, we know that women are resourceful and dependable. They have the brainpower, technical skills, intuition, and wisdom needed to move industries and nations forward. We encourage all organisations to take a step forward by empowering the women in their communities, even beyond their immediate employees. Hundreds are impacted when one woman is empowered”, she concluded.

Also speaking at the summit, Tosin Olaseinde, the keynote speaker, shared that organisations need to contribute a quota to inclusive growth for women in Nigeria. She said, “Financial literacy is an extremely important lesson for Nigerian women. Research has shown that when money is in the hands of women, it boosts the entire family and community creating a ripple effect. It is important for companies to play their parts in creating inclusive growth, especially for women, because when employees are financially literate, they are happier and more productive.”

The event also included self-defence workshops for female drivers and employees, furthering Bolt’s commitment to safety.

The upcoming launch of a digital community for Bolt’s female drivers was announced at the event with the intention of providing a safe space and direct access to support staff and tools when necessary. Through this and its upgraded safety features, Bolt intends to ensure safe mobility for all on its platform.

[PHOTO – L-r: Thelma Philips, Workplace Experience Manager, Nigeria; Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Senior Public Policy Manager for West, Central & North Africa; Onyinyechi Madubuko, Operation Manager – Rides, Nigeria; Oluwatosin Olaseinde, Founder, Money Africa; Joy Kingsley, Customer Support Specialist – Safety, Nigeria; and Ogechi Mbatu, Marketing Specialist, Nigeria at Bolt’s Women’s Summit on Financial Independence, Leadership & Self Defence]