The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has recognised MTN Nigeria’s contribution towards the advancement of gender equality, especially in the workplace, under its Nigeria2Equal programme.

IFC, in its newly published case study, spotlighted MTN Nigeria’s transformation into a top performer in workplace gender equality following its participation in the programme between 2021 and 2023.

During this period, the company moved from 13th position to become the top-performing organisation among the 30 most capitalised companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group.

The report was based on an independent assessment conducted by Equileap and verified by PwC.

In the IFC case study, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, 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.

“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.”

Implemented in partnership with the Nigerian Exchange Group, the Nigeria2Equal programme is designed to reduce gender gaps across leadership, employment, and entrepreneurship in 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 IFC’s advisory support, the company undertook diagnostics to identify gaps, introduced targeted policies, and aligned its practices with global standards.

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, reflecting progress across leadership representation, pay equity, organisational culture, and flexible work policies.