International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, officially presented MTN Nigeria with the EDGE Advance Certification on September 3, 2026. This certification recognises the company’s progress in advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
It also makes MTN Nigeria the first company in Africa to reach the Advance level and, globally, the first organisation in the Communication Services sector and only the third company overall to achieve the recognition.
Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, said the achievement reflected deliberate efforts by the company to increase women’s participation across its workforce and senior management. “This milestone is the result of deliberate efforts and a conscious decision to shift our targets, ensuring greater participation of women nationwide and within our senior management,” he said.
“Witnessing the resulting sense of empowerment and satisfaction within our workforce has been incredible. To be recognised in this manner, and to lead globally in this space, brings us immense pride and validates our unwavering commitment to gender equity.”
The company’s progress is reflected in the composition of its workforce and leadership. As at its 2025 Annual Report, women made up 43.4% of MTN Nigeria’s total workforce and 41.18% of its Executive Committee, with the company targeting a 50:50 gender balance across its workforce by 2030.
Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer at MTN Nigeria, said the figures reflected deliberate policies around recruitment, mentorship and leadership development. “Growing female representation to 43.4% of our workforce and 41.18% of our Executive Committee did not happen by chance,” she said. “It reflects deliberate policies on recruitment, mentorship and leadership development.”
Olivier Buyoya, IFC Regional Director for West Africa, said MTN Nigeria’s achievement demonstrated how workplace equality could contribute to stronger and more resilient businesses. “MTN Nigeria’s achievement shows that workplace equality is not only a social imperative, but a driver of stronger, more resilient businesses.
By embedding inclusion in its strategy, setting measurable goals, and holding itself accountable for results, MTN Nigeria is demonstrating the kind of private sector leadership Africa needs to compete and thrive.
“As a member of the World Bank Group, IFC is proud to have supported this journey, and we look forward to helping more companies translate commitment into measurable progress,” he said.
The certification builds on MTN Nigeria’s EDGE Move Certification, first attained in July 2023, when the company became the first telecommunications company in Africa to be EDGE Certified and the second organisation in Sub-Saharan Africa to attain EDGE Move status at its first attempt.
Aniela Unguresan, Founder of the EDGE Certified Foundation, said the new recognition was based on independently assessed and measurable outcomes, reflecting sustained progress on gender equity rather than stated intent.
The achievement positions MTN Nigeria among a small group of organisations globally recognised for advancing workplace equity and inclusion.
It further reinforces the company’s commitment to building a diverse workforce and fostering a corporate culture that reflects the changing expectations of employees, investors and other stakeholders, while using its 2030 gender balance target as a benchmark for continued progress.
