Lagos, Nigeria – A groundbreaking social finance initiative designed to transform grassroots economic empowerment for women and youths across Nigeria will be officially unveiled on December 9 in Lagos. Women Aligned for Growth (WAG), in partnership with DI Africa and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), will present the ₦10 Billion Women & Youth Impact Fund (TWYIF), a catalytic platform promoting shared prosperity through structured social finance.
Designed as a revolving, transparent and impact-driven social investment vehicle, the fund consolidates domestic philanthropy, CSR contributions, diaspora remittances, community giving and private-sector support into a unified, accountable platform. TWYIF seeks to move Nigeria from fragmented charity to sustainable economic empowerment, providing recoverable financing, enterprise development, skills and leadership training, and access to essential community-strengthening services.
Nigeria receives over US$22 billion annually in remittances and charitable flows. When channelled through structured social finance systems, this capital can generate enduring community value, expand livelihoods and scale national prosperity. TWYIF is positioned to harness this potential and convert goodwill into measurable impact.
Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Lady Gwen Abiola Oloke, Chair of DI Africa and lead presenter of the initiative, emphasised the urgency for coordinated social finance in Nigeria.
“Women and youth have sustained Nigeria’s informal economy for decades, yet access to structured support remains limited,” she stated. “Goodwill is abundant, but its fragmentation reduces impact. TWYIF is designed to turn scattered charitable flows into long-term, accountable investment in people and communities.”
Lead Convener and Executive Chairman of WAG, Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi, described the fund as a bold step forward.
“This platform is about transforming generosity into sustainable economic value. Structured social finance is key to unlocking inclusive growth, dignity and shared national progress.”
The unveiling, themed “Shared Prosperity Through Social Finance: A Sustainable Roadmap to Upscaling Women, Youth and Community Impact in Nigeria,” will hold at 12:00 p.m. at the NIIA Headquarters, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Distinguished dignitaries expected at the event include:
Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, First Lady of Abia State (Special Guest of Honour)
His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha
Royal Father of the day.
Professor Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (Keynote Speaker)
Chief Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, FCILT (Chairman of the Day)
amongst other notable speakers
The gathering will also welcome senior government officials, private-sector leaders, development agencies, philanthropic institutions, diaspora groups and media organisations.
WAG remains committed to advocacy, leadership development and capacity-building for women and youths. DI Africa brings expert knowledge in sustainable finance and impact strategy, while the NIIA Nigeria’s foremost foreign policy think tank hosts the unveiling in alignment with its mandate to drive strategic national discourse.
Organisers emphasise that this unveiling marks the beginning of a national shift, from fragmented charitable acts to coordinated social capital; from isolated interventions to scalable empowerment; and from short-term relief to shared, long-term prosperity. With women and youth at the centre of Nigeria’s socio-economic resilience, TWYIF is poised to become a transformative engine for inclusive development nationwide.
