Leading Ladies Africa, a non-profit organisation (NGO) dedicated to advancing gender-inclusive leadership and equity, has recognised 100 outstanding women in the finance sector, naming them listing them as Leading Ladies Africa 100 Women.

The honourees were unveiled yesterday at the Women in Finance Breakfast Forum, an event that not only celebrated the remarkable achievements of women in Nigeria’s finance industry but also served as a platform for critical discussions on economic inclusion and dismantling of gender-based stereotypes.

With female leaders at the helm of major financial institutions, the forum underscored the increasing influence of women in shaping the economic landscape while addressing persistent challenges that hinder their full participation.

In her welcome address, the founder of Leading Ladies Africa, Francesca Uriri, underscored the persistent gender disparities across various sectors, emphasising that women continue to bear the brunt of inequality.

She pointed out that, according to global statistics, it would take 250 years to close the gender gap, highlighting the urgent need for advocacy and structural change.

Uriri noted that despite these challenges, Nigeria’s finance sector has made remarkable strides in gender representation, with women leading major financial institutions.

She cited data from the Women’s World Banking and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which shows that the finance sector in Nigeria boasts the highest number of women in leadership roles. This, she said, made it an ideal industry to spotlight as a model for gender-inclusive leadership.

Uriri further explained that the Leading Ladies Africa 100 Women list honours women who are not only breaking barriers in finance but also shaping policies, managing billion-dollar transactions, and driving financial inclusion, setting a precedent for greater gender equity in leadership.

Speaking during a panel session titled ‘Women’s Economic Power: Dismantling Gender Norms and Stereotypes’, the Managing Director and CEO of Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities United (SANEF), Uche Uzeebo, reinforced the importance of recognising and empowering women in leadership.
Commenting on the relevance of women’s empowerment initiatives, she asserted that such efforts should not be seen as a mere trend but as a necessity.

“Women should be recognised. What a man can do, a woman can also do and sometimes even better,” she said.
Uzeebo highlighted the persistence of workplace bias and the lack of access to education as significant barriers to women’s progress in the financial sector.

She reflected on how, in the past, female bank CEOs were nonexistent, whereas more than 10 women occupy such positions in Nigeria. While she described this shift as a testament to progress, she emphasised that more work still needs to be done.She also stressed the need to provide women with the tools and knowledge needed to maximise their potential.

“Every woman has something they can do, even from the comfort of their home. So we need to prioritise discussions on the importance of financial literacy and economic inclusion for women at all levels, particularly in rural areas,” Uzeebo noted.
https://guardian.ng/business-services/business/ngo-honours-100-women-in-finance-advocates-gender-inclusive-leadership/