Championing Gender Equality Across Africa

Championing Gender Equality Across Africa: UN Global Compact Country Networks Mark International Women’s Day 2025

As the world marked International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, the UN Global Compact joined the global community in celebrating the 11th annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality campaign. This year’s theme, “Ring the Bell for ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” resonated deeply across Africa, where Country Networks partnered with stock exchanges, governments, and private sector leaders to amplify the call for gender equality and empowerment.

Since its inception in 2015, the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative has grown exponentially across the globe, from just seven participating stock exchanges to over 115 in 2025. Organized in collaboration with the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative, UN Women, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the World Federation of Exchanges, this global campaign highlights the critical role of the private sector in advancing gender equality and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Across Africa, UN Global Compact country networks in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Rwanda collaborated on impactful events, uniting business leaders, policymakers, and civil society to assess progress, tackle ongoing challenges, and reaffirm their commitment to advancing gender equality.

Ghana
The Global Compact Network Ghana and the Ghana Stock Exchange joined global exchanges to mark International Women’s Day 2025 with the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality event. The event highlighted the need for inclusivity and gender equality in business. Industry leaders, entrepreneurs, students, and advocates gathered to emphasize women’s critical role in economic development and the importance of equitable opportunities.

Tolu Kweku Lacroix, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Ghana, stated, “The Forward Faster campaign calls for urgent action to achieve equal representation of women in leadership roles.” A high-level panel featuring speakers from finance, corporate Ghana, and education shared insights on advancing women’s rights and empowerment.

Nigeria

On March 7, 2025, the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) and the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), hosted a ring the bell ceremony at the NGX Group House in Lagos. The event featured a high-level panel discussion with notable leaders such as Adesuwa Okunbo-Rhodes, Founder and CEO of Aruwa Capital Management, and Chalya Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship Development to the President of Nigeria.

Panelists stressed the need to invest in women-led businesses and initiatives that foster financial independence. The ceremony concluded with a closing gong sounded by Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, alongside Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and CEO of NGX Group and Chairman of CSCS, symbolizing a unified commitment to advancing gender equality in Nigeria’s business landscape.

Kenya

In Kenya, the Global Compact Network Kenya collaborated with the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), IFC, and UN Women to host the annual ring the bell ceremony. The event highlighted the private sector’s role in promoting gender equality and urged companies to adopt the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).

Cabinet Secretary for Wildlife and Tourism Rebecca Miano, the Chief Guest, emphasized the economic advantages of gender inclusion, noting its potential to boost corporate performance and profitability. Judy Njino, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Kenya, urged the private sector to engage in initiatives like the Target Gender Equality (TGE) Accelerator and the Forward Faster Initiative to drive impactful progress. Learn more

South Africa

Board Member of the UN Global Compact and CEO of Naspers South Africa, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, joined the Country Network to ring the bell in collaboration with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). She emphasized that closing the gender gap could boost the global economy by $7 trillion, underscoring the importance of empowering women and girls with equal opportunities.

Dr. Achieng Ojwang, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network South Africa, and Nelson Muffuh, UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa, echoed these sentiments, calling for gender equality to be embedded in corporate policies, leadership, and decision-making.

Tanzania

In Tanzania, the UN Global Compact Network Tanzania joined forces with IFC, the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), and UN Women to host the ceremony. The event centered on addressing barriers and identifying actionable solutions to unlock the full potential of women in the workforce. Executive Director of the Global Compact Network Tanzania, Marsha Macatta-Yambi, emphasized the power of collaboration, stating, “Partnership enables stakeholders to leverage their skills, resources, and influence to effect systemic change. Such partnerships in the name of collaboration make gender equality efforts more effective and durable.”

The ceremony featured a distinguished panel including Martine Valcini, IFC Country Manager for Tanzania and Rwanda; Peter Nalitolela, CEO of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange; and Lucy Charles-Shaidi, Manager at the Bank of Tanzania. Panelists also included Adam Mbyallu, Co-founder and Chief Strategic Officer of Sahara Ventures; Christina Korosso, PR and Communication Manager at Azam Media Limited; and Juliana Muwanga, Head of HR Projects and Change Management at NMB Bank Plc.

Rwanda

The Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) hosted its 9th annual bell-ringing ceremony in partnership with IFC Rwanda, UN Women, and the UN Global Compact Network in Rwanda. The event brought together key stakeholders, including Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, CEO of RSE; Janice Ryu, IFC Resident Representative for Rwanda and Uganda; and Mireille Batamuliza, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion. Participants celebrated Rwanda’s progress in gender equality while reaffirming their commitment to advancing women’s empowerment.

Angola
On March 20, 2025, the Angola Stock Exchange (BODIVA) and the UN Global Compact in Angola hosted the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality event as part of the global campaign by the World Federation of Exchanges. The event focused on advancing gender equality in the corporate sector, reflecting BODIVA’s commitment since joining the UN Global Compact in 2020.

Around 100 participants, including the UN Resident Coordinator in Angola and sector representatives, attended. BFA and UNITEL shared strategies for promoting gender equality, while a panel discussion explored the business sector’s role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5.

Explanation of changes:

Across the countries in the African region, businesses, governments, and civil society came together to highlight the importance of inclusive actions that promote the rights and empowerment of all women and girls. The UN Global Compact remains steadfast in its goal to accelerate private sector action on gender equality. Through initiatives like the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), the Target Gender Equality Accelerator, and the Forward Faster Initiative, we are working to ensure that women and girls across Africa have equal opportunities to thrive. The 11th annual Ring The Bell For Gender Equality events demonstrates the African private sector’s growing commitment to gender equality.

As we reflect on the progress made and the challenges ahead, it is important to emphasize that gender equality is not only a moral obligation but also an economic necessity. Africa must take the lead in building a more inclusive and equitable future, striving relentlessly to achieve gender equality by 2030.

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A Boost In Private Sector Potential for Sustainable Development in Chad

October 3, 2025

The UN Global Compact Africa Regional Hub in Chad, recently joined the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator to convene a capacity-building and exchange workshop with leaders of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), government representatives and business associations. The session which was held on the 29 and 30 September 2025, revealed a significant opportunity: many SMEs are already contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), often unknowingly, through their daily operations. For example, a local dairy producer discovered that his business directly advances SDGs 1 and 2, and committed to formalising corporate social responsibility practices to deepen his company’s contribution. This experience reflects a broader challenge on SDG awareness among the private sector. While national development plans give the private sector a central role—Chad’s national development plan “Chad Connection 2030” allocates 46 percent of anticipated investments to private actors—, awareness of the SDGs remains limited. Yet evidence shows that private sector engagement is indispensable. Unlocking private sector investment in these sectors, alongside infrastructure and renewable energy, could accelerate growth and resilience. According to the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC), agriculture and pastoralism account for more than half of Chad’s GDP, with 73 percent of households depending on them for income . Yet, awareness of the SDGs among businesses remains low. At the same time, Chad’s new national development plan, Chad Connection 2030, targets over US$30 billion in investment by 2030 , with the private sector expected to play a decisive role. While in N’Djamena for the capacity-building and exchange workshop, Dr. Hervé Lado, Head of the UN Global Compact Africa Regional Hub, urged participants to embrace SDG-centered efforts in their business operations. “Leveraging the momentum from the 80th Anniversary of the UN, the 25th Anniversary of the UN Global Compact and the recent UN General Assembly, the private sector, the government and the UN system in Chad are called to enhance collaboration and catalyze partnerships to accelerate the achievement of the national development plan and the SDGs for the benefit of the populations,” Dr. Lado, expressed. Encouragingly, international partners are stepping up. Afreximbank has pledged up to US$1.5 billion to boost Chad’s private sector , particularly in agriculture and agro-industry. Combined with improved awareness, such commitments demonstrate how local enterprises can transition from being passive beneficiaries of development to active drivers of sustainable change. Strengthening dialogue and capacity building will be essential to ensure that businesses across the Sahel can fully align with the 2030 Agenda and mobilise the investments needed for inclusive and sustainable development.

GABI: Advancing African Competitiveness in a Climate-Regulated World at Unstoppable Africa

September 10, 2025

GABI: Advancing African Competitiveness in a Climate-Regulated World at Unstoppable Africa 22 September 2025 | 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM EDT (3:00–4:30 PM CAT) The UN Global Compact Africa Hub and UNGC's Country Networks in Africa will host a high-level session titled “Navigating CBAM: Advancing African Competitiveness in a Climate-Regulated World” at the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI): Unstoppable Africa 2025. Scheduled for 22 September 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM EDT (3:00–4:30 PM CAT) at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Europe represents almost one-third of Africa’s trade and it is projected that if the European Union’s CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) is fully applied to all imports, Africa’s exports to the EU will plunge by 5.72% and Africa’s GDP cut by 1.12%, posing urgent economic and strategic challenges for the continent. This dialogue will unpack the implications of the CBAM, showcase corporate climate action by African businesses, explore pathways to green industrialization, enhanced competitiveness, equitable inclusion in global sustainability governance, and boosted intra-Africa trade. To attend, select the event in the GABI app and join leaders from business, finance, and policy in shaping a resilient, unstoppable Africa.

Private Sector Momentum Builds as New Companies Commit to the UN Global Compact in Rwanda

September 1, 2025

Efforts to drive private sector investment in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Rwanda received a significant boost as seven new companies pledged to join the United Nations Global Compact during a recent high-level Partners’ Forum in Kigali. This was further underscored during the Partners’ Forum, held under the theme “Can Do with Integrity” and organized in collaboration with MTN Rwanda and Mobile Money Rwanda on 7 August 2025. The forum, which brought together stakeholders in the Rwandan business ecosystem such as suppliers, vendors, franchises and other partners, was attended by over a hundred participants from various companies and received strategic support and guidance from the UN Global Compact. The commitments followed a presentation by the UN Global Compact on its value proposition and the benefits of joining the largest global sustainability initiative. Specifically, the forum served as an opportunity for the UN Global Compact to recruit new businesses to join its future Country Network and support them to address critical areas of regulatory compliance, fraud prevention and anti-bribery measures, procurement processes and standards, and ethics and integrity in business operations. During the engagement, the UN Global Compact reported on its progress in Rwanda, where the membership has grown from 1 to 27 companies since 2023, across sectors including banking, energy, mining, telecommunications, and construction. While Rwanda shows strong growth and retention; the relatively small size of the national economy and local businesses means that achieving viability for the network will require welcoming a hundred businesses.

Africa Beyond Aid: Rethinking Value Chains, Trade, and Investment for Sustainable Development

August 19, 2025

Roundtable 25 September 2025, 2-4pm, New York City The current rising tariffs also call on the capacity of African countries to produce locally and trade goods and services among themselves. As the AfCFTA gains traction, new opportunities are emerging for Africa. This session will bring together African business leaders, government officials and representatives of African regional institutions attending UNGA to explore how trade, value chains, and investment can build sustainable economies, and how the UN Global Compact’s Africa Strategy can help harness this transformation. Explore the immense potential within regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Discover how sustainable business models are creating unprecedented private sector opportunities, even amid global uncertainty. During this informative session, you will be equipped with key insights on: Shared understanding of Africa’s evolving development narrative post-aid Insights and case examples of successful public-private responses to aid reduction Identification of opportunities for investment, innovation, and collaboration under AfCFTA. Africa's transforming from aid-dependent to investment-led, trade-driven growth. This is your invitation to join the continent's dynamic future. SPEAKERS:

UN Global Compact Hosts Roundtable on Innovative Finance for Fragile Economies at FFD4 in Spain

August 4, 2025

In rethinking financing for fragile economies, particularly in Africa and other emerging markets, the United Nations Global Compact hosted a roundtable titled ‘Reframing Risks and Rewards in Fragile Contexts”, at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, Spain. The roundtable was held on 2 July, 2025 and brought together stakeholders to seek bold innovative pathways that help address the pressing realities faced by these fragile economies which are often failed by traditional financing models. Chaired by Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director at UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, the roundtable featured voices for whom fragility is not a theory but a lived reality and professional challenge. Opening remarks were delivered by Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO/Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. The High-level Executive Roundtable featured a line-up of visionary panellists, including Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, Executive Governor of Imo State; Patrick Akhidenor, Chief Risk Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd., representing Olusegun Alebiosu MD/CEO FirstBank Group; Teresa Guardans, Co-Founder, Oryx Impact; Krisztina Tora, Managing Director, GSG Impact; and Hassatou Diop N'Sele N’Sele, Vice President/CFO of the African Development Bank, and other impactful speakers joined from the Green Climate Fund, Small Foundation, and Sida. The platform opened opportunities for collaborative action for capital mobilization to support the goal of rethinking finance to serve the most fragile and vulnerable communities. This collaboration from the various stakeholders is critical; governments, the private sector, finance institutions, nonprofits and the local communities must work together if a new model is to be successful and sustainable. Key takeaways from the discussion include: The current financial system isn’t made for the world we’re in – Most existing financing instruments are engineered to minimize risk, rather than to engage with the nuanced and layered complexities of today’s world. Yet fragility, marked by economic shocks, climate disruptions, and geopolitical volatility, is no longer an exception; it is fast becoming the prevailing context across many emerging economies. If the global financial architecture fails to evolve in response to this new reality, it risks reinforcing exclusion. Resilience is a return, not an expense - A recurring theme throughout the dialogue was a bold and necessary challenge to the prevailing perception that resilience-focused investments—whether in climate adaptation, local governance, or peacebuilding—are "too risky," "too slow," or unlikely to yield measurable returns. This outdated view continues to limit the flow of capital to the very places where it is most urgently needed. Africa is not the problem—it’s the solution - There was a collective rejection of the outdated narrative that paints Africa as a charity case. The truth is, Africa is a goldmine of innovation, talent, and leadership. But ideas alone aren’t enough. What is needed is trust, access, and catalytic capital. Youth must move from beneficiaries to financiers of the future - Africa is home to the youngest population in the world, yet youth continue to be overlooked in formal financial systems. Funding models must evolve to reduce barriers for youth-led solutions—not just through grants, but through ownership, equity, and co-creation. Ecosystems are everything - Resilience is not built by capital alone. It takes local infrastructure, technical expertise, smart policy, and a culture of trust. This means that systems change is essential. We must stop looking for silver-bullet interventions and start investing in the enabling environments that allow communities to build, adapt, and thrive. In fragile economies across Africa and the Global South, the stakes are incredibly high, and the system is not built for them. The traditional models of finance that have long governed how and where money moves are proving inadequate in the face of today’s most pressing realities: climate breakdown, political volatility, growing youth unemployment, and widening inequality. Fragility is no longer a footnote in development—it’s a defining context for the next era of global resilience. The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) held from 30 June to 3 July, 2025, in Seville, Spain. It follows the 2002 Monterrey Consensus, the 2008 Doha Declaration and the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

UN Global Compact Network Kenya Rallies African Stakeholders to Unlock Local Capital for Sustainability

August 4, 2025

The United Nations estimates that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 will require between $3 trillion and $5 trillion annually. In Africa alone, the financing gap is an additional $194 billion each year – about 7% of the continent’s GDP. Against this backdrop, the Global Compact Network Kenya (GCNK), in partnership with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), FSD Africa Investments (FSDAI) and the East Africa Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (EAVCA), convened relevant stakeholders for a roundtable to foster high-level, impactful conversations around pressing themes, such as accelerating sustainable finance for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) through local capital mobilisation and integrated sustainability-related factors. During the high-level roundtable, which took place on July 22nd, 2025, at the Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi, Kenya, attendees resolved that the urgency to accelerate sustainable finance has never been greater, especially against the background of global and regional challenges such as the escalating impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss as well as growing inequality and shrinking international aid. Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Global Compact Network Kenya (GCNK), Judy Njino, emphasized the role that the private sector and investment community have to play and underscored the importance of unlocking local capital to drive impact at scale. "Only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track or show moderate progress. Nearly half are moving too slowly or making only marginal progress, while 18 per cent have regressed. The gap between our sustainable development aspirations and financing to meet them has continued to widen. With official development assistance declining and fiscal space constrained, the private sector & investor community have an opportunity to step up as an engine for inclusive & sustainable economic growth. We must ensure that businesses, especially local ones, are ready, aligned, and equipped to absorb this capital," she said. Meanwhile, David Atkin, Chief Executive Officer of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), emphasized that the PRI believes an economically efficient and sustainable global financial system is essential for long-term value creation. As such, a system rewards responsible, long-term investment while delivering lasting benefits to society and the environment. Critical takeaways from the roundtable include; a broad agreement on the need to foster collaboration between businesses, investors, and development actors; the need to shift toward practical, real-world financial solutions that address issues on the ground; and acknowledgement of the growing demand for financial instruments such as green bonds and impact investments that offer competitive returns while directly supporting SDG-related projects.

Le Pacte mondial des Nations Unies met en avant les perspectives africaines sur la durabilité d’entreprise à l’issue du programme...

August 4, 2025

La deuxième édition du programme Fondements de la Durabilité d’Entreprise (FDE), qui s’est déroulée de mars à juillet 2025, s’est conclue avec succès. Le programme a mis en avant les perspectives africaines en matière de durabilité d’entreprise et a favorisé l’alignement des stratégies commerciales avec les normes mondiales de durabilité. Conçu pour renforcer les capacités des dirigeants d’entreprises africaines et de leurs équipes, le programme a offert des outils pratiques sur l’intégration des principes environnementaux, sociaux et de gouvernance (ESG) dans les opérations et processus décisionnels clés. Entièrement dispensé en français, le programme a proposé six sessions interactives de 2,5 heures chacune, animées par les réseaux locaux du Pacte mondial des Nations Unies en Afrique du Nord, Afrique de l’Ouest, Afrique centrale et Océan Indien. Chaque session mettait en lumière les priorités spécifiques de chaque région, assurant ainsi une contextualisation des meilleures pratiques internationales dans la diversité des environnements économiques africains. Le programme de cette année a couvert six thématiques essentielles pour la durabilité des entreprises sur le continent : la durabilité en tant que levier stratégique en Afrique; les droits humains et le travail décent; l’égalité des genres; l’adaptation des entreprises au changement climatique; le reporting en matière de durabilité; et le suivi des progrès. Ces thématiques traduisent à la fois les priorités mondiales et les enjeux sociaux et environnementaux propres aux entreprises africaines, en encourageant des solutions adaptées qui relient les standards globaux aux réalités locales. Si les normes internationales offrent un cadre fondamental pour guider les pratiques responsables, leur mise en œuvre concrète en Afrique reste un défi. Le Pacte mondial des Nations Unies, en collaboration avec les Réseaux Locaux du Hub régional Afrique et ses partenaires, s’est engagé à combler cet écart en promouvant la sensibilisation, l’apprentissage entre pairs et la mise à disposition d’outils pratiques permettant aux entreprises d’intégrer la durabilité dans leurs opérations. S’adressant à des entreprises de différentes tailles et secteurs, l’édition 2025 du programme FDE a réuni plus de 500 participants issus des quatre sous-régions. En complément des sessions virtuelles organisées via la plateforme UN Global Compact Academy, la sixième et dernière session s’est tenue en présentiel dans cinq pays : Côte d’Ivoire, Île Maurice, Maroc, République Démocratique du Congo et Tunisie. Ces sessions ont été organisées avec le soutien du Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France), en partenariat avec plusieurs institutions locales dont : Business Mauritius; Association Tunisienne des Investisseurs en Capital (ATIC); Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI); Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Franco-Congolaise; Conseil Bancaire et Financier; Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC); Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Côte d’Ivoire; Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc (CGEM). Le programme s’est inscrit dans un contexte mondial marqué par des défis environnementaux et sociaux pressants, allant du changement climatique à la perte de biodiversité, en passant par la pollution, la raréfaction des ressources et les inégalités croissantes. Ces enjeux interconnectés représentent des risques majeurs pour le développement durable à l’échelle mondiale, notamment en Afrique, où leurs impacts sont particulièrement visibles. Les entreprises ont ainsi un rôle clé à jouer pour contribuer à l’atteinte des Objectifs de développement durable (ODD), en adoptant des pratiques responsables créatrices de valeur pour la société et l’environnement. “Cette deuxième édition du programme Fondements de la durabilité d’entreprise a constitué un moment fort de notre engagement collectif en faveur d’une croissance responsable et durable sur le continent africain. Ce qui m’a profondément marqué, c’est la richesse et la diversité des perspectives partagées par les entreprises participantes, des PME locales aux grandes entreprises, toutes guidées par une volonté authentique de faire évoluer leurs pratiques. Au-delà du renforcement des compétences techniques en matière de durabilité, le programme a permis de créer un espace unique d’apprentissage et de dialogue entre les acteurs économiques africains. Grâce à la mobilisation remarquable des Réseaux Locaux du Pacte mondial en Afrique et de nos partenaires institutionnels, nous avons pu proposer un programme à la fois ancré dans les réalités africaines et aligné avec les standards internationaux. Cette initiative démontre que lorsque l’on conjugue expertise locale, collaboration régionale et ambition globale, il devient possible d’accélérer la transition vers des modèles économiques plus inclusifs, plus résilients et plus durables.” Salma Boudina, Lead du Programme FDE . Des programmes tels que le FDE offrent aux entreprises les connaissances, les outils et le réseau nécessaires pour élaborer des stratégies de durabilité efficaces. Le Pacte mondial des Nations Unies continue d’accompagner les entreprises africaines dans leur transition vers des économies plus inclusives, résilientes et durables, en renforçant les capacités locales et en favorisant le dialogue à travers le continent.

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Championing Gender Equality Across Africa