- The UK reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development by backing women-led SMEs in Nigeria through the W.O.M.A.N by Alitheia forum.
- Alitheia Capital and Manufacturing Africa launched initiatives to cut energy costs, build SME capacity, and drive green job creation in Nigeria.
The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, has reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to advancing inclusive green growth and sustainable development across Nigeria’s key economic sectors.
Baxter made this declaration during the second edition of W.O.M.A.N by Alitheia, a high-level forum focused on Women in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Nutrition, hosted at his residence in Lagos. The event brought together women entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, energy experts, and industry leaders to explore women’s critical role in Africa’s green industrial transition.
Meanwhile, Alitheia Capital, a gender-lens impact investing firm, organised the event in collaboration with Manufacturing Africa, a UK government programme dedicated to attracting foreign direct investment into the manufacturing sector. Themed “Scaling Sustainable Manufacturing & Energy Transition for Women-led SMEs in Africa,” this edition spotlighted practical solutions for women-led businesses navigating the energy transition.
In his remarks, Baxter said, “We are proud to collaborate with Alitheia Capital on Women in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Nutrition to drive Africa’s green industrial future. We recognise the indispensable role of women in this transition and are committed to expanding access to capital and capability to ensure sustainable growth. This event reflects our shared vision for inclusive and transformative development.”
Baxter pledged continued UK support through targeted investments and strategic partnerships to foster inclusive, sustainable industrialisation.
Tokunboh Ishmael, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Alitheia Capital, emphasised the economic urgency of sustainability. “We are no longer just talking about sustainability as a nice-to-have. It’s an economic imperative, especially for women entrepreneurs at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial transformation,” she said.
She highlighted tangible results from Alitheia’s portfolio, revealing that women-led businesses that adopted clean energy solutions recorded up to a 60% reduction in energy costs. “This is proof that a green transition is not only possible but profitable,” she added.
Throughout the forum, speakers addressed the growing pressure on SMEs facing rising fuel costs and electricity tariffs, factors driving the shift toward renewable energy as both an economic and environmental necessity.
Alitheia Capital used the platform to launch Nzinga, a new capacity-building initiative designed to equip women entrepreneurs with tools for sustainable business growth. Meanwhile, Manufacturing Africa unveiled its Green Business Building accelerator, which will support the development of environmentally responsible businesses by tackling core business challenges and building an ecosystem for green manufacturing and job creation in Nigeria.
The event concluded with an ESG knowledge session, exhibitions from clean energy and green manufacturing solution providers, and a unified call to action: expand access to capital, build supportive ecosystems, and implement inclusive green industrialisation policies.