By Taiye Olayemi
The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) has called for data-driven strategies to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s impact economy.
The Chief Executive Officer of IIF, Ms Etemore Glover, made the call on Wednesday during the 8th Annual Convening on Impact Investing (ACII) in Lagos.
The event also featured the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Impact Investing Ecosystem Mapping and Market Sizing Report.
The two-day event has the theme, “Strengthening and Scaling the Nigeria Impact Economy”.
It brought together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners to discuss strategies for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development through impact investing.
Glover described the new report as a critical piece of work that provided evidence-based data and insights for policymakers, investors, and development finance institutions.
According to her, the report builds on the 2019 baseline study, offering an updated mapping of Nigeria’s impact investing ecosystem, including its market size, trends, and opportunities.
“The launch of the 2025 Nigeria Impact Investing Ecosystem Mapping and Market Sizing Report is a critical piece of the work that provides evidence-based data and critical market information for policymakers, DFIs, and investors.
“This data will assist in guiding capital to where it is needed most, translating availability into impact-aligned growth and a more resilient investment ecosystem,” she said.
According to Glover, the convening was designed to galvanise Nigeria’s impact community to accelerate the nation’s journey toward an inclusive and resilient impact economy.
She said that the 2025 ACII also served as a catalyst for concrete action, producing outcomes in three priority areas: capital mobilisation, regulatory reform, and enterprise pipeline strengthening.
The IIF boss reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s impact investing ecosystem.
“The 8th ACII is much more than a conference; it is the vital engine powering Nigeria’s inclusive growth and sustainable development.
“We are resolute towards strengthening and scaling the Nigerian impact economy.
“For Nigeria, this acceleration means a more resilient investment ecosystem that delivers measurable social and environmental value alongside financial returns, ultimately building a better future for all Nigerians,” she said.
Also, Frank Aigbogun, Chairman of IIF, described the establishment of the impact fund as a defining milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of homegrown development financing.
He emphasised the importance of harnessing domestic capital sources such as pension funds, diaspora remittances, and corporate reserves to close funding gaps in key sectors of the economy.
He said, “We must be intentional about building a locally anchored ecosystem that supports impact capital.
“Pension funds, diaspora remittances, and corporate balance sheets represent an untapped reservoir that can drive inclusive growth and help address our social challenges.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had dedicated deal rooms set up to facilitate matchmaking between investors and investment-ready small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Discussions centred on innovative finance models, blended finance mechanisms, and data-led policy reforms.
Participants also explored opportunities in high-impact sectors such as climate and sustainability, and the creative economy, identified as key drivers of Nigeria’s next phase of economic transformation.
Speakers at the event noted that building a robust impact economy was essential for sustaining the country’s economic momentum, linking financial returns with measurable social and environmental outcomes.
They also highlighted the potential of tapping into the global pool of over $98 trillion in assets increasingly being channelled toward impact-driven investments.
The event ended with the IIF annual dinner and awards ceremony, which recognised organisations and individuals who have demonstrated excellence in social and environmental impact.
Among the recognitions was the Innocent Chukwuma Award for Social Impact, dedicated to outstanding philanthropic and civil society organisations.
