MTN Nigeria, an ICT company, has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE) MOVE certification from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) at its headquarters.
This accolade positions MTN Nigeria as the pioneering technology firm in Africa to receive such recognition, underscoring its dedication to rectifying gender imbalances within its workforce.
In September 2023, MTN Nigeria joined a distinguished cohort of over 250 organizations spanning 57 countries and 27 industry sectors, including esteemed entities like the World Bank Group, Deloitte Switzerland AG, and UNICEF, in embracing the EDGE certification.
“This certificate further underscores our commitment to bridging gender gaps. The female representation in our workforce has grown by 2.7% in the past year (now 38.3%) showing pleasing progress towards our 2030 goal of 50%. We have a firm belief in gender inclusion at the workplace”, Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria stated.
Dahlia Khalifa, IFC’s Regional Director, Central Africa, and Anglophone West Africa, said that: “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 program, the company has prioritized diversity and inclusion within its leadership and workforce, and attaining this certification attests to that.”
Chief Human Resources Officer, Esther Akinnukawe, accepting the certificate, underscored recent strides made by MTN to advance gender inclusion within 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, commended MTN Nigeria Communications PLC for achieving their first EDGE Certification at the EDGE Move level, emphasizing the company’s resolute dedication to fostering gender equity in the workplace. This certification not only acknowledges MTN Nigeria’s progress but also underscores the steadfast commitment of its leadership to cultivate an inclusive environment. Genuine transformation in workplace culture necessitates leadership’s acknowledgment of the need for change, paving the way for diverse and inclusive experiences for all. MTN Nigeria’s ongoing efforts reflect its steadfast commitment to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity and champions gender equality.
