UNIDO ITPO Nigeria Launches GLICOP to Boost Women's Entrepreneurship

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Investment Technology and Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO) Nigeria has introduced the Gender Lens Investing Community of Practice (GLICOP) to support women's entrepreneurship and promote gender equality in business.

The initiative was launched in Lagos during the inaugural Gender Lens Investing Training, addressing challenges faced by underfunded women-owned businesses.

GLICOP aims to bridge the funding gap for women entrepreneurs by providing them with increased access to resources, funding, networks, and capacity-building support. It seeks to create an environment that levels the playing field for women entrepreneurs, fostering an ecosystem where they can thrive.

Prominent experts and thought leaders, including Etemore Glover of the Impact Investors Foundation, Dr. Funmi Adewara, Founder of Mobihealth, Nonye Umahi, Managing Consultant at CUANU Consult, and Dr. Ola Brown, General Partner of HealthCap Africa, contributed to GLICOP's mission.

The launch emphasized actionable goals, such as establishing information hubs, networking advantages, and support for women fund managers. Discussions also highlighted the importance of regulatory frameworks, policy advocacy, and bias removal to create a conducive environment for women-led businesses.

A central focus was the call for strategic policies that allocate funds for women-owned businesses, coupled with rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. This approach aims to dismantle historical barriers and biases, recognizing the potential of investing in women for sustainable economic growth.

GLICOP's launch underscores the collaborative nature of transformative change, involving stakeholders like government bodies, NGOs, development finance institutions (DFIs), and venture capitalists (VCs). This collective effort aims to shape an inclusive ecosystem that provides essential resources, opportunities, and support for women-owned businesses.