In a powerful address marking the 2026 International Women’s Day, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs. Kaphayah Olayemi Sarumi, called for a radical shift toward shared action to unlock the economic potential of women across the continent.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the Women SDGs Advocates Conference, themed “Give to Gain, Empowering Women Through Shared Action,” Mrs. Sarumi framed women’s empowerment not just as a social justice issue, but as the primary engine for African development.
A Vision for Continental Growth
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the clock is ticking toward the 2030 SDGs deadline, and women remain the most underutilized resource in achieving these global targets. She noted that true progress requires a multi-pronged approach involving education, digital literacy, and leadership.
“Empowering women through financial inclusion and digital skills is not just a moral obligation; it is the most strategic pathway to reducing poverty and boosting economic growth,” Mrs. Sarumi stated. “We must operate on the firm belief that when women rise, Africa rises.”
Lagos State’s THEMES+ Impact
Highlighting local successes, Mrs. Sarumi detailed how the Lagos State Government, under the THEMES+ Agenda, is turning policy into practice. She specifically pointed to a recent financial inclusion initiative led by her office that has already begun transforming lives in grassroots areas, by empowering over 1,600 women from various underserved communities received intensive training, skill acquisition that focus on financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills, and digital Integration where women are provided with digital banking access to bring them into the formal economy.
A Call for Strategic Partnerships
Closing her address, the Permanent Secretary urged stakeholders from the private and public sectors to move beyond rhetoric and embrace sustained investment. She argued that building resilient communities is only possible through a collective commitment to “Shared Action.”
Mrs. Sarumi’s call to action served as a reminder that the path to 2030 requires strengthened partnerships and a unified front to ensure no woman is left behind in the digital and economic revolution.
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