Global leaders seek $20m fund to drive gender-inclusive energy transition
Global leaders, policymakers and private sector stakeholders have called for the mobilisation of a $20 million catalytic fund to accelerate gender inclusion in the global energy transition. The call was
Global leaders, policymakers and private sector stakeholders have called for the mobilisation of a $20 million catalytic fund to accelerate gender inclusion in the global energy transition.
The call was made at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), where participants emphasised that inclusive energy systems are critical to building resilient and competitive economies.
The high-level session, themed ‘“Catalysing Energy Justice: Energising Communities through Women/Girls and Sports,’ brought together stakeholders from government, development finance and industry to advocate stronger investment in women’s participation in the energy sector.
Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires to the United Nations, Syndoph Endoni, underscored the importance of equitable energy access, describing it as a key driver of development and economic inclusion.
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“Energy is far more than a commodity; it is an enabler of dignity, opportunity and human progress,” he said, warning that the global push for sustainable energy would remain incomplete without deliberate inclusion of women in access, financing and decision-making structures.
Also speaking, Chair of the CSW70 Planning Committee and Co-Chair of the Global Working Group for the Girls in Energy Project, Dr Omopeju Afanu, described energy access as a fundamental economic input capable of unlocking productivity and market growth.
She noted that limited access to energy continues to hinder the growth of women-led enterprises, particularly in emerging markets, where financing gaps persist.
Afanu unveiled plans to mobilise $20 million as catalytic capital to support gender-inclusive energy initiatives, explaining that the fund would serve as a strategic investment vehicle rather than mere expenditure.
“We are looking at catalytic capital that can de-risk innovation, attract private sector participation and scale viable models across the Global South,” she said.
She added that with less than five years to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is an urgent need for coordinated investment and execution.
Founder of DoTheDream Youth Development Initiative, Adebusuyi Olutayo Olumadewa, highlighted the role of the Girls in Energy Project in translating policy into action, noting that the initiative focuses on equipping women and girls with skills for employment and entrepreneurship within the renewable energy space.
Participants at the session agreed that while energy access remains a key driver of economic growth and industrial development, persistent gender gaps continue to limit opportunities and slow progress.
They called for stronger collaboration among governments, development finance institutions and private investors to drive inclusive, scalable energy solutions.
The stakeholders stressed that strategic investment in gender inclusion would not only address social inequality but also unlock new economic opportunities, positioning inclusion as a critical pillar in the future of the global energy economy.
