The Lagos State Government and MTN Nigeria are deepening their partnership to accelerate gender inclusion across Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, reinforcing efforts to expand opportunities for women in leadership, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation.
The renewed collaboration was showcased at the fifth Women in Technology and Engineering Summit (WITESA) in Lagos, where MTN Nigeria participated as the Gold Sponsor. The gathering brought together government officials, business executives, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, and development partners to examine strategies for closing the gender gap in the country’s fast-growing digital economy.
Speakers at the summit argued that increasing women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is no longer simply a social objective but an economic imperative. They urged public and private sector stakeholders to move beyond policy commitments by implementing measurable initiatives that remove structural barriers limiting women’s access to technology careers, business financing, executive leadership, and digital skills development.
MTN Nigeria highlighted its own progress in advancing workplace diversity, disclosing that women account for 41.4% of its total workforce while 46.7% of executive management positions are occupied by women. The figures underscore the company’s efforts to build a more balanced leadership structure and position it among Nigeria’s leading corporations promoting gender representation at senior management level.
Beyond workforce inclusion, both partners are expanding access to finance for women-owned businesses. Through the MTN Foundation’s Y’ellopreneur 3.0 programme, implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry, a N1 billion matching fund has been established to support the growth of women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The initiative is designed to improve access to capital, strengthen business capacity, and enable female entrepreneurs to scale their operations.
Complementing this effort, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), with MTN’s support, recently concluded its Female Founders Programme, awarding N10 million in grants to outstanding women entrepreneurs. The programme provides mentorship, business development support, and funding opportunities aimed at improving enterprise sustainability and job creation.
The partnership also places significant emphasis on developing the next generation of female technology professionals. MTN supported the 2026 International Girls in ICT Day campaign through mentorship sessions, digital skills workshops, and career engagement programmes designed to encourage more girls to pursue STEM education and technology-related careers.
Industry analysts say initiatives that combine education, corporate leadership, access to finance, and public-private collaboration are increasingly critical to building an inclusive digital economy. As Nigeria accelerates digital transformation and innovation-led growth, the Lagos State Government and MTN Nigeria’s coordinated approach could provide a model for expanding women’s economic participation while strengthening the country’s long-term competitiveness in Africa’s technology landscape.
