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$100 Billion Investment Agenda: The African Union, GIZ, Sterling One Foundation Rally Private Sector To Invest in Africa’s Women And Youth
Since its inception in 2022, the Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI 2030) Initiative, a key initiative of the African Women’s Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion of African Women 2020-2030 , has created multi-stakeholder platforms to advance targeted financial inclusion strategies for African women and youth.
A recently concluded high-level convening, organized by the African Union Commission Women, Gender and Youth Directorate in partnership with the Sterling One Foundation and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the GIZ African Union Portfolio, focused on mobilizing private sector capital and expertise.
The high-level meeting sought to unlock solutions to persistent financing gaps affecting women and young people.
Held in advance of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS 2025), the convening emphasized the crucial role of the private sector in unlocking USD 100 billion to support at least ten million women and youth in Africa by 2030 as part of the WYFEI 2030.
The dialogue focused on how private actors can design gender- and youth-responsive financial products and services, build market infrastructure and data systems that make underserved entrepreneurs bankable, and provide technical support and business development services to help women- and youth-led enterprises scale.
Ms. Prudence Nonkululeko Ngwenya, Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate at the African Union Commission, set the scene by stressing the need for systemic reform.
She stated that “A fundamental shift is needed to place women and
youth at the center of resource allocation, policy-making, and accountability”. Ms. Ngwenya further emphasized that “The private sector is not a guest at this table, but a co-owner of the agenda, with WYFEI 2030 designed for co-investment, innovation, and scale to move from isolated impact to ecosystem change.”

L–R: Dr. Nadi Albino, Deputy Director, UNICEF; Prudence Ngwenya, Director, Women, Gender & Youth Directorate (WGYD), African Union Commission (AUC); Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; and Dr. Tobias Thiel, Director, GIZ African Union Portfolio, at the recently held Private Sector Roundtable, co-convened by Sterling One Foundation and the African Union Commission, a pre-summit engagement of the fourth edition of the Africa Social Impact Summit in Lagos recently.
Echoing this statement, Ms. Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, underscored that “Inclusion cannot be rhetoric. Women and youth are not peripheral to Africa’s economy. Any agenda that sidelines them is simply incomplete.
Reaffirming that “Every day, capital doesn’t reach them; opportunity is withheld from the continent.”
Ms. Ibekwe added that, “Partnerships must move beyond alignment and
toward shared execution that reflects the realities of Africa’s investment landscape.”
Dr. Tobias Thiel, Director of GIZ African Union, also highlighted the systemic barriers limiting financial inclusion for women and youth, emphasizing that addressing these challenges is “Both a moral and economic imperative.”
He called on stakeholders to “Move forward together, with boldness and resolve, to create an Africa where opportunity is truly equal, and potential is limitless” reaffirming GIZ’s support for the AU’s WYFEI 2030 Initiative.
During the convening, a panel discussion featuring public and private sector actors explored ways private capital can be mobilized to deliver inclusive outcomes. The conversation focused on the structural changes needed to scale early-stage investment into underserved markets, from deal origination to data collection.
The meeting also featured the introduction of the EmpowerHer Africa initiative by Dr. Nadi Albino, Deputy Director of Partnerships at UNICEF.
This transformative program
aims to create pathways for 50 million adolescent girls and young women across Africa to access financing, technology, and entrepreneurial resources through the WYFEI
2030 Initiative, empowering the next generation of women leaders and innovators.
This dialogue marks the start of a series of coordinated engagements led by the African Union Commission’s Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate, with the Sterling One Foundation anchoring public–private conversations across the continent.
These engagements aim to mobilize strategic partnerships, unlock innovative financing solutions, and align private-sector action with continental priorities to remove systemic barriers to women’s and youth’s economic inclusion.
Through sustained collaboration,
these dialogues are set to generate scalable solutions and measurable progress toward Africa’s inclusive economic transformation.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Rym Ben Salah | Economic Empowerment Expert, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate | African Union Commission |
E-mail: SalahR@AfricanUnion.org
Ms.Chiwendu Isaiah | Communications Strategist, Sterling One Foundation | Email: chiwendu.isaiah@sterling.ng
News
How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
News
Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
News
Your Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, says the second coming to office of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, after the elapsing of the state of emergency should have made him better.
Fayose’s remarks come as the Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara as of January 8, 2026.
Speaking in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Friday, Fayose said he was removed as governor and went to exile but became a better person upon his return.
Fayose said that President Bola Tinubu hates ingratitude just like any other person else does.
The former Ekiti governor also dismissed the claim that what is happening in Rivers state is politics taken too far.
According to him, the constitution provides rules of engagement for every politician, stressing that it is when one gets out of the rule that he begins to look for public sympathy.
“The coming back of Governor Fubara should have made him a better person .If you made a mistake the first time, the second time you are not supposed to go through that route.
“Politics is a power game. Nobody solves political game for you. With due respect, let me tell you. Fubara is the one enjoying the office of the governor of Rivers state. It’s not the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“Some people are saying it’s about Tinubu’s election. No! Because Tinubu’s election will come first, don’t forget that. Both Wike and Fubara will all work for Tinubu. Two weeks after, there will be an election for Rivers state,” he said.
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