CSR-in-Action, ACI launch inaugural women SDG Advocates Conference in Lagos

CSR-in-Action Group, through its advocacy arm CSR-in-Action Advocacy, in partnership with the African CleanUp Initiative (ACI), has launched the inaugural Women SDG Advocates Conference (WSAC) 2026 in Lagos, convening over 200 women leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and civil society actors.

Held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victoria Island, on March 11 to mark International Women’s Day 2026, the conference established a platform for structured collaboration among women advancing sustainable development across Africa.

With the theme “Give to Gain: Empowering Women Through Shared Action,” discussions focused on how collective responsibility can accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deliver measurable community impact.

In her welcome address, Bekeme Masade-Olowola emphasised the centrality of women to development, noting that they remain critical drivers of economic growth, social stability, and innovation. She stressed that scaling small, coordinated actions can generate meaningful social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Also speaking, Alexander Akhigbe described the conference as the start of a long-term movement aimed at strengthening collaboration and amplifying women’s impact across communities.

The keynote, delivered by Kaphayah Olayemi Sarumi on behalf of Oreoluwa Finnih, highlighted financial inclusion as a critical enabler of women’s economic participation and resilience, noting its role in fostering business growth and household stability.

A panel session moderated by Ihotu Eritosin-Gregory featured experts including Monica Nwosu, Kofoworola Awotoye, Natalie Beinisch, and Agharese Lucia Onaghise. The discussion centred on building structured partnerships to attract investment and sustain women-led initiatives.

A highlight of the event was the premiere of Earth Women, a documentary showcasing the experiences of women in resource-rich communities and their role in sustainability advocacy.

WSAC is supported by IHS Towers, Nestlé, Zenera Consulting, BudgIT, and the Lagos State Government. It’s an ongoing platform to deepen collaboration, drive implementation, and scale women-led solutions across Africa.