The United Kingdom has reiterated its commitment to advancing inclusive green growth and sustainable development in Nigeria, particularly by supporting women-led businesses in key economic sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, and nutrition.
British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter made the commitment during the second edition of W.O.M.A.N by Alitheia, a strategic forum focused on empowering women entrepreneurs.
Baxter, in a statement on Wednesday said the UK is committed to working with strategic partners like Alitheia Capital to help women-owned SMEs lead Africa’s sustainable 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,” he said. “This event reflects our shared vision for inclusive and transformative development.”
Held under the theme “Scaling Sustainable Manufacturing & Energy Transition for Women-led SMEs in Africa,” the forum brought together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and energy solution providers.
Discussions centred on the need to unlock investment, provide tailored support, and remove policy bottlenecks affecting women-led enterprises.
Tokunboh Ishmael, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Alitheia Capital, highlighted the urgency of driving sustainability as an economic priority.
“We’re not just spotlighting solutions—we’re scaling them,” Ishmael said. “In our own portfolio, we’ve seen up to a 60% reduction in energy costs for businesses that adopted clean energy. The green transition is not only achievable, it’s profitable.”
The forum also addressed the growing economic strain on SMEs due to fuel hikes and rising electricity tariffs.
READ ALSO: BoI, AGF Partner to Unlock $50m for Nigerian MSMEs
Participants emphasised that renewable energy solutions have become critical not just for the environment, but for financial survival.
Insights from Alitheia’s investment data showed that SMEs that transitioned to renewable energy sources significantly slashed operating costs—proof of clean energy’s viability for scaling women-led businesses.
As part of its broader strategy, Alitheia Capital officially launched Nzinga, a new SME support platform designed to equip entrepreneurs with tools for sustainable scaling.
In parallel, Manufacturing Africa unveiled its Green Business Building Accelerator, which aims to strengthen green manufacturing ecosystems and create green jobs through targeted business support.
The event wrapped up with an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) knowledge session, exhibitions from green solution providers, and a unified call to action for expanding access to finance, building strong support ecosystems, and pushing for policy reform in favour of inclusive, sustainable industrialisation.
With increasing global focus on green transitions, the UK’s latest pledge highlights a deepening partnership aimed at powering Nigeria’s economic resilience—led by women, fuelled by clean energy, and anchored in sustainability.