Impact Investors Foundation Set to Host 3rd Gender Impact Investment Summit
The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), g premier platform for unlocking impact capital, has announced that its third Gender Impact Investment Summit (GIIS) will take place on October 2, 2025, at the Civic Centre in Lagos. This annual event serves as a vital platform where stakeholders convene to address systemic barriers hindering women’s access to finance and to advance a more inclusive and equitable investment environment in Nigeria.
While previous summits concentrated on bridging the financing gap and promoting gender-inclusive investment models, this year’s summit will go beyond dialogue by unveiling a comprehensive roadmap with targeted strategies for mobilising inclusive capital. Under the theme “Investing in Equity: Advancing Gender-Led Solutions for Inclusive Development,” the event will mark a significant shift from advocacy to concrete action.
A key highlight will be the official launch of the innovative Gender/Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Roadmap. This strategic framework aims to address systemic challenges faced by women-led, youth-led, and PWD-led businesses in Nigeria, offering a clear pathway for various stakeholders to adopt more inclusive practices.
Ms. Etemore Glover, CEO of Impact Investors Foundation, emphasised, “This summit is about more than just talk; it’s about action. By shifting our focus from advocacy to a powerful business strategy, we’re demonstrating that investing with a gender lens is not only morally right but also yields higher returns.”
An important feature of the summit will be in-person and virtual deal rooms, offering a direct platform for investment-ready, women-led and women-owned businesses to connect with capital providers. This initiative aims to foster vital partnerships and facilitate real-world investments by linking entrepreneurs with impact investors and fund managers.
The GIIS will bring together a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, financial institutions, enterprise support organisations, government officials, and media— all crucial players in driving meaningful change. The event will feature panel discussions, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, fireside chats, and presentations from prominent speakers in finance, business, and policy sectors. Jessica Espinoza, CEO of 2X Global, a leading industry body for gender lens investing, will deliver the keynote address.
“Through GIIS, IIF is committed to positioning Nigeria as a leader in gender-inclusive investments, demonstrating that economic prosperity and social impact can go hand-in-hand,” Ms. Glover concluded.