The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has officially acknowledged MTN Nigeria's significant contributions to advancing gender equality, particularly within the workplace, through its Nigeria2Equal initiative. In a newly released case study, the IFC spotlighted MTN Nigeria's transformation into a leading performer in workplace gender equality following its participation in the programme from 2021 to 2023.
During this period, MTN Nigeria climbed from the 13th position to become the top-performing organisation among the 30 most capitalised companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). The report is based on an independent assessment conducted by Equileap and verified by PwC.
CEO's Commitment to Inclusivity
In the IFC case study, Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, emphasised the importance of diversity and inclusion. He stated: "A diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce is critical to the success and sustainability of our business. We are committed to promoting gender inclusiveness, equality, and empowerment internally as well as across our ecosystem to ensure that interventions are holistic and position women to thrive effortlessly."
Toriola further urged business leaders to take proactive steps: "If we must narrow the gender gap and address the disproportionate representation of women in the private sector, I believe that business leaders and CEOs must disproportionately allocate resources to support women across all levels."
The Nigeria2Equal Programme
Implemented in partnership with the Nigerian Exchange Group, the Nigeria2Equal programme aims to reduce gender gaps in leadership, employment, and entrepreneurship within Nigeria's private sector. MTN Nigeria joined the initiative in 2021, making commitments across these areas while strengthening its broader advocacy for gender equality.
According to the IFC publication, MTN Nigeria built on its existing diversity and inclusion framework by adopting a more structured and data-driven approach to gender equality. With advisory support from the IFC, the company conducted diagnostics to identify gaps, introduced targeted policies, and aligned its practices with global standards.
EDGE MOVE Certification
A major milestone outlined in the report is MTN Nigeria's attainment of the EDGE MOVE certification in 2023, a globally recognised benchmark for workplace equity. This achievement made it the first wireless telecommunications company in Africa and the second organisation in Sub-Saharan Africa to reach this level. The certification reflects progress across leadership representation, pay equity, organisational culture, and flexible work policies.
The recognition underscores MTN Nigeria's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and sets a precedent for other companies in the region to follow.
