IFC, NGX Group, LCCI unveil NGCP to boost women economic inclusion
Lagos, June  2026 (TBL Africa) International Finance Corporation (IFC), Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have launched the Nigeria Gender Country Programme (NGCP) to promote gender inclusion and expand women’s participation in the economy.The programme is anchored on three strategic priorities aimed at increasing women’s representation in leadership, improving access to quality employment, and expanding access to productive assets, including finance, technology and markets for women and women-led businesses.
The NGX Group, in a statement on Wednesday, said the initiative was unveiled during a virtual Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Roundtable convened to promote private sector action on gender equality and inclusive economic growth.
The session brought together chief executives and senior business leaders from NGX-listed companies, IFC client organisations and LCCI member firms to align stakeholders on the programme’s framework and mobilise support ahead of its formal rollout.
The NGCP builds on existing initiatives such as Nigeria2Equal, which has supported workplace inclusion, women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and sustainable finance across Nigeria’s private sector.
The programme is designed as a collaborative platform to scale impact through coordinated action among development institutions, business leaders, regulators and the organised private sector.
Delivering the keynote address, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, said the private sector has a critical role in advancing gender-inclusive economic growth.
He said gender inclusion remained a key driver of economic expansion, noting that closing gender gaps could unlock significant value for Nigeria’s economy while improving business performance and national competitiveness.
Agama urged stakeholders to move beyond treating inclusion as corporate social responsibility or compliance, describing it instead as a strategic driver of productivity, innovation and sustainable growth.
The Group Managing Director of NGX Group, Mr Temi Popoola, said the NGCP is a platform for scaling women’s economic participation through stronger collaboration among the private sector, development institutions and market stakeholders.
He said expanding women’s access to leadership opportunities, quality employment, finance, technology and markets would help unlock economic value while strengthening competitiveness and resilience in the private sector.
Popoola added that the capital market has a key role to play in promoting these outcomes through improved governance, transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Also, IFC Country Head in Lagos, Mr Christian Mulamula, said closing the gender gap remained one of the most significant opportunities to boost productivity and competitiveness across Africa.
He noted that gender inequality is estimated to cost the continent up to 2.5 trillion dollars, adding that the NGCP would focus on practical solutions to expand women’s leadership, improve access to jobs and increase opportunities for women-led enterprises.
In her remarks, the Director-General of LCCI, Dr Chinyere Almona, said the success of the programme would depend on strong leadership commitment and the integration of gender inclusion into corporate strategy and execution.
The partners are expected to formally launch the Nigeria Gender Country Programme at a physical event scheduled for July 9, where stakeholders will further advance implementation of its strategic priorities.
