As Nigeria continues to navigate the dual pressures of soaring energy costs and the growing impact of climate change, the British government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusive green growth, especially through strategic support for women-led small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). The renewed commitment was made at the second edition of W.O.M.A.N. by Alitheia, a women-focused industrial development forum, held in Lagos.
The event, themed “Scaling Sustainable Manufacturing and Energy Transition for Women-led SMEs in Africa,” brought together stakeholders from across the continent, including energy innovators, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, to explore innovative pathways toward a low-carbon industrial future anchored by female entrepreneurship.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter, led the United Kingdom’s delegation at the event and restated the UK’s readiness to drive Africa’s green industrial future through partnerships, capital support, and capacity development. Baxter noted that the UK’s collaboration with Alitheia Capital under its Manufacturing Africa programme is designed to ensure sustainability, gender inclusiveness, and economic viability for businesses in Nigeria.
“We are proud to collaborate with Alitheia Capital on W.O.M.A.N. 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,” Baxter stated.
He added that the UK government is focused on catalyzing climate-smart investments in Nigeria through policy support, business acceleration tools, and ecosystem partnerships that promote industrial resilience and job creation.
In her keynote remarks, Tokunboh Ishmael, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Alitheia Capital, emphasized that sustainability is no longer an abstract ideal but an economic necessity, particularly for women entrepreneurs in Africa’s fastest-growing markets.
“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. Through W.O.M.A.N. by Alitheia, we are not only spotlighting solutions, we are scaling them,” Ishmael said.
Alitheia Capital revealed that companies within its investment portfolio have cut operational costs by as much as 60% by integrating renewable energy solutions — a compelling argument for expanding clean energy across Nigeria’s industrial and manufacturing landscapes.
Panel discussions at the forum featured industry leaders such as Yemisi Iranloye of Psaltry, Affiong Williams of ReelFruit, Temilola Adepetun of SKLD, James Fabola of Arnergy Solar, Bukola Badmos of Starsight Energy, and Sarah Ogbewey of Sterling Bank. These leaders shared insights into energy efficiency best practices, sustainable financing models, and strategies for navigating the challenges of operating under Nigeria’s rising fuel and electricity costs.
Key topics included:
Transitioning women-led SMEs to solar-powered manufacturing
Mobilizing climate finance through impact investing
Aligning sustainability goals with business profitability
Strengthening data-driven impact measurement frameworks
To further solidify its commitment to ecosystem development, Alitheia Capital unveiled Nzinga, a new capacity-building platform aimed at providing entrepreneurs with the training and tools to grow resilient, green businesses.
In a complementary move, the UK’s Manufacturing Africa programme launched its Green Business Building (GBB) accelerator, which will help Nigerian businesses solve operational bottlenecks while promoting job creation through sustainable industrial practices.
The combined efforts signal a shift towards practical, inclusive, and sustainable development strategies that align with Nigeria’s energy transition goals and the global climate action framework.
The event closed with a renewed call to action for governments, investors, and international partners to centre gender and sustainability in economic recovery efforts. Stakeholders agreed that deliberate investment in women-led enterprises, clean energy infrastructure, and targeted SME support will be critical in achieving long-term resilience for Nigeria’s industrial sector.
With international backing and growing local momentum, Nigeria’s journey towards an inclusive, low-carbon economy may soon become a replicable model across Africa.