Impact Investors Foundation Targets $8bn In Inclusive Capital

Nigeria’s platform for unlocking impact capital, Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), on Thursday, unveiled Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Roadmap 2025 -2035, thus, targeting mobilisation of $8 billion in inclusive capital.

The GESI Roadmap presents a clear, actionable plan with targets such as mobilising $8 billion in cumulative gender-inclusive capital, the launch of 40 inclusive financial products for women, youth, and PwDs, 90% integration of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion principles by General Partners, mobilisation of $1.5 billion domestic capital pools, and the enactment of 20 new policy and regulatory instruments, among others.

This decade-of-action blueprint for gender equity and social inclusion in Nigeria was launched at the third Gender Impact Investment Summit (GIIS), themed, ‘Investing in Equity: Advancing Gender-Led Solutions for Inclusive Development,’ and held in Lagos on Thursday.

The launch also introduced the Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035 campaign to drive actionable plans towards the GESI roadmap’s ambitious goals.

In collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria, the IIF developed a 10-year strategic roadmap from 2025 to 2035 to embed inclusive investment practices within Nigeria’s economy.

The Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035 campaign was introduced to inform, shape, and inspire strong capital mobilisation commitments and action for women, youth, and People with Disabilities (PwDs).

Speaking at the event, the CEO of the Impact Investors Foundation, Etemore Glover said: “This GESI Roadmap is not just a plan; it’s a blueprint for a significant shift in Nigeria’s economy. The scale of the targets underscores our profound commitment to a future where no one is left behind. This incredibly exciting moment sets a powerful, decade-long course to democratize capital and transform our investment landscape for women, youth, and People with Disabilities (PwDs).”

By signing the Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035, stakeholders pledged to take several key actions: mobilize inclusive capital at scale to close gender and inclusion financing gaps; introduce GESI principles into investment decisions, policies, and financial products; strengthen institutional capacity, pipeline development, and policy coherence; and deliver measurable outcomes that empower women, youth, and PwDs across Nigeria.

Similarly, the chair, GSG Nigeria Partner and Vice Chair, GSG Impact, Ibukun Awosika, emphasised the campaign’s significance, adding that, “the GESI roadmap moves us beyond aspiration to accountability, demanding that stakeholders not only mobilize inclusive capital at scale but also embed GESI principles into every investment decision and policy, thereby enabling the gaps to be closed, unlocking Nigeria’s full economic potential, and ensuring our growth is truly equitable and transformative.”

In the same vein, CEO of 2X Global, Jessica Espinoza delivered a powerful keynote address, stressing the need for intentional action: “Progress is strategic, not accidental, which is why the GESI roadmap is a critical blueprint for Nigeria’s future. It’s a vital framework for intentionally dismantling financial barriers, empowering women, youth, and people with disabilities, and unlocking the nation’s full economic potential.”

The summit also featured goodwill remarks from renowned speakers, panel discussions, fireside chats, and presentations from notable figures in the financial, business, and policy sectors.

In a direct move to facilitate real-world investments, the summit equally featured a dedicated, in-person deal room. This unique platform provided a direct pipeline for investment-ready, women-led, and women-owned businesses to connect with capital providers, including impact investors, fund managers, and development finance institutions.

IIF is a nonprofit organization driving impact investing in Nigeria. Through knowledge sharing, policy advocacy, and capacity building and research, it unlocks domestic and international capital for high-impact investments. IIF has spearheaded major initiatives, including the establishment of the Nigerian National Advisory Board for Impact Investing (NABII), which secured government backing for the $1 billion Nigerian Wholesale Impact Investment Fund (WIIF) to finance MSMEs.