MTN Nigeria has received the Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE) MOVE certification from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) at their headquarters in Lagos.
MTN Nigeria is the first technology company in Africa to be awarded the certificate as a testament to its commitment to identifying and addressing gender disparity in the workplace.
The ICT firm joined over 250 organisations across 57 countries and 27 industry sectors, including institutions like the World Bank Group, Deloitte Switzerland AG, UNICEF, among others, in September 2023.
Mr Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria said, “This certificate further underscores our commitment to bridging gender gaps. The female representation in our workforce has grown by 2.7 percent in the past year (now 38.3 percent) showing pleasing progress towards our 2030 goal of 50 percent. We have a firm belief in gender inclusion at the workplace.”
Dahlia Khalifa, IFC’s Regional Director, Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, said, “Women are still underrepresented in the workforce and the economy, thus limiting economic prosperity. Actions that promote women’s equal participation as employees and entrepreneurs are crucial for the private sector to address gender gaps and benefit from the dividends of gender equality.
“Through IFC’s advisory support to MTN Nigeria under the Nigeria2Equal gender programme, the company has prioritised diversity and inclusion within its leadership and workforce and attaining this certification attests to that.”
Accepting the certificate, Chief Human Resources Officer, Esther Akinnukawe highlighted recent developments in MTN to promote gender inclusion in the workplace.
“Some of our gender inclusion initiatives such as the Women at Y’ello network and the HeforShe Initiative, have contributed to making MTN a great place to work.”
The EDGE MOVE certification establishes us as trailblazers, making MTN Nigeria the pioneering telecom company in Africa and the second in Sub-Saharan Africa to attain this,” she said.
Aniela Unguresan, founder and member of the EDGE Certified Foundation Board, added, “Receiving their first EDGE certification at the EDGE MOVE level is a significant achievement for MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, highlighting their strong commitment to workplace gender equity.
“This certification not only recognises the progress made by the organisation but also emphasises the ongoing commitment of its leadership team to advancing a culture of inclusivity. Genuine transformation in workplace culture can only be realised when leaders recognise the imperative for change, thereby paving the way for diverse and inclusive experiences for all.”
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