Impact Investors Foundation has unveiled a groundbreaking GESI Roadmap and targeted $8bn inclusive capital in 10 years.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) has launched a landmark Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Roadmap 2025–2035, setting a bold target to mobilise $8 billion in inclusive capital over the next decade.
The initiative was unveiled at the third Gender Impact Investment Summit (GIIS), themed “Investing in Equity: Advancing Gender-Led Solutions for Inclusive Development,” held at the Civic Centre, Lagos.
Developed in partnership with PwC Nigeria, the GESI Roadmap lays out a 10-year strategic blueprint aimed at embedding inclusive investment practices in Nigeria’s economy. Key targets include the rollout of 40 inclusive financial products for women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs); mobilising $1.5 billion in domestic capital pools; achieving 90% adoption of GESI principles among General Partners; and supporting the enactment of 20 new policy and regulatory frameworks.
The launch also introduced the Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035, a campaign designed to rally governments, investors, market enablers, and intermediaries around measurable actions to close gender and inclusion financing gaps.
“This GESI Roadmap is not just a plan; it’s a blueprint for a significant shift in Nigeria’s economy,” said Etemore Glover, CEO of the IIF. “Our targets reflect a profound commitment to a future where no one is left behind. This is about democratizing capital and transforming our investment landscape for women, youth, and PwDs.”
Ibukun Awosika, Chair of GSG Nigeria Partner and Vice Chair of GSG Impact, underscored the accountability framework embedded in the campaign: “The GESI roadmap moves us beyond aspiration to accountability, ensuring that stakeholders embed inclusive principles into every investment and policy.”
Delivering the keynote, Jessica Espinoza, CEO of 2X Global, stressed the importance of intentional action: “Progress is strategic, not accidental. The GESI roadmap is a vital framework for dismantling financial barriers and unlocking Nigeria’s full economic potential.”
The summit featured panel discussions, fireside chats, and a deal room connecting women-led and women-owned businesses with capital providers, including impact investors and development finance institutions.
The roadmap was developed with support from PwC Nigeria, GIZ, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Ministry of Youth Development, and the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund, backed by UK International Development.
By spearheading the GESI Roadmap and the Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035, the Impact Investors Foundation has reinforced its role as a catalyst for building a gender-inclusive economy and advancing equitable prosperity in Nigeria.
