We value the trust of our stakeholders and are committed to doing business in an ethical, honest and transparent way. We are committed to managing our business responsibly and sustainably. We strive to focus on business practices based on honesty, fairness and consistency in our work with employees, customers, investors, contractors, suppliers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and others. We are committed to applying the highest ethical standards and conducting business in compliance with applicable anti-bribery laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Recognizing the importance of our Ethics and Governance pillar in paving the way for a more sustainable future, we are proud to be aligning with the following essential SDG’s: SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Much of our impact is made possible through the fostering of collaboration. IHS Nigeria would not be able to deliver the incredible work it does without key partnerships, which we actively seek out with foundations, NGO’s, academic institutions, suppliers, civil society and more.
At IHS Nigeria, we recognise that gender disparity remains a significant obstacle to achieving a more equitable society. Throughout 2023 and 2024, we actively engaged in initiatives and partnerships to help address this pressing issue.
Championing Gender Equality
In 2023, we proudly participated in the UN Women, European Union, and Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) convening of private-sector stakeholders to establish Nigeria’s first Private Sector-Led Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Fund. The fund aims to:
We also supported WISCAR’s Annual Conference themed “In Her Voice: Forging Ahead”. The event, featuring a keynote by the award-winning media mogul, Mo Abudu and other thought leaders, focused on amplifying women’s voices in leadership. With over 600 participants, the conference served as a platform for driving change and fostering collaboration.
IHS Nigeria also joined the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to celebrate the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD). Held at the Alliance Francaise/Mike Adenuga Centre in Lagos, the event featured high-level panel discussions and exhibitions to support female artists and explore strategies for advancing gender equality in Nigeria’s creative sector.
Continuing our work to reduce gender inequality, IHS was among the partner organizations of the 2024 edition of the Annual General Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) held in Lagos. The event, themed ‘Beyond the Balance Sheet: Redefining Success for Women in Law,’ also marked the commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day. IHS was represented by female employees. We also participated in a one day workshop in Lagos hosted by WISCAR in 2024. The workshop was specifically designed for procurement officers, supply chain managers, and other key stakeholders involved in procurement.
Fostering Technological Innovation
In 2023 we participated in the Global Tech Africa Conference; a dynamic gathering that united a diverse array of stakeholders from the tech industry, government, academia, and beyond. The esteemed event, held at the Lekki Coliseum in Lagos, served as a catalyst for discussions, collaborations, and exploration within the realm of cutting-edge technologies.
Advancing Peace, Justice, and Inclusion
In 2024, we joined a UNGC roundtable on Business and Human Rights, where our representative contributed to the implementation roadmap for Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. The event attracted business leaders, government representatives, and key stakeholders, advancing efforts to embed human rights into business operations.
Promoting Justice and Strong Institutions
In 2024, the United Nations Global Compact Network (UNGC) launched its Transformational Governance (TG) Corporate Toolkit in Lagos. The TG was developed with input from companies and partner organizations to offer a principle-based approach to business governance, emphasizing accountability, ethics, inclusivity, and transparency. In 2024, the UNGC invited IHS Nigeria to participate, engage and provide insights at the 3rd African Business and Rights Forum held at the United Nations Office in Kenya. The forum convened stakeholders from across Africa to engage in meaningful dialogue and share insights on the theme, “Promoting Responsible Business Conduct in a Rapidly Changing Context”.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Education remains a key focus of our sustainability efforts. In 2023, IHS Nigeria served as a panellist at the Digital Learning Seminar, a collaborative event hosted by UNICEF and the Nigerian Government. Representatives of IHS Nigeria shared insights into our school-to-school connectivity initiative, which provides underserved schools with internet access and learning devices.
In 2023, IHS Nigeria has been instrumental in providing internet connectivity and essential learning devices to deprived schools, enabling access to educational resources, and bridging the digital divide. Furthering our commitment to education, IHS Nigeria participated in the National Conference on the Learning Crisis, hosted in Abuja by UNICEF Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other partners. During a panel session on foundational literacy and numeracy, we emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in improving education outcomes. The conference attracted key government officials, education practitioners, and development partners.
Promoting ESG and Sustainable Business Practices
In 2023, IHS Nigeria took part in the Hudson Sandler and UNGC Sustainable Futures Event, themed “ESG Advantage: Shaping Profitable and Purposeful Paths for Sustainable Development in Nigerian Businesses”. Representatives of IHS Nigeria joined other industry leaders to discuss the role of ESG principles in fostering economic growth, building inclusive institutions, and driving sustainable development. The conference attracted private sector leaders, civil society organizations, regulators, and c-level executives who are at the forefront of embedding ESG practices and principles within their business operations. This event underscored the critical role of ESG principles in driving sustainable business practices, fostering economic growth, and building inclusive institutions.
Supporting Children’s Rights with UNICEF
We remain dedicated to upholding children’s rights through our ongoing work with UNICEF, reinforcing our shared commitment to creating a better future for every child. In 2024, we hosted the UNICEF Deputy Executive Director of Partnerships, Kitty Heijden, on a courtesy visit where we discussed ongoing partnerships and explored potential areas for further collaboration in the coming years.
Expanding Economic and Industrial Opportunities
In 2024, we participated in the Nasarawa Investment Summit (NIS), themed “The Industrial Renaissance” held in Lafia, Nasarawa State.The summit provided a platform to explore and expand opportunities within the industrial, agricultural, and mining sectors, aiming for inclusive and sustainable wealth creation. This engagement showcased our commitment to driving innovation and supporting sustainable growth in Nigeria. 1,324 people were in attendance.
IHS Nigeria participated in the University of Ilorin, Faculty of Engineering and Technology International conference (FETiCON 2024) in 2024, themed “Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Future: Leveraging AI to Achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals”. The conference brought global intellectuals together to discuss new trends in engineering.
In 2024, we attended a high-level dialogue organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) in Lagos. The event focused on enhancing private sector partnerships in the Universal Basic Education (UBE), aligning education priorities, exploring government incentives, and addressing delivery challenges.
Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation for Sustainability Initiatives
In 2024, we engaged with Ascend Studios Foundations (ASF) to provide strategic monitoring and evaluation services that will enhance the delivery and impact of selected sustainability initiatives. This engagement involves developing and implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, designed to systematically measure project progress and facilitate impact assessments. Our objective through this initiative is to strengthen our sustainability efforts and ensure meaningful outcomes from our initiatives.
Partnership with The Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG)
Our ongoing partnership with the Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) remains one of our most esteemed partnerships. This pairing brings together key stakeholders in telecommunications and technology to collaborate on sustainability efforts through strategic partnerships, policy formulation, advocacy, events, and programs. We participated in the first TTSWG Board meeting for 2023 as a key observer, demonstrating our commitment to the partnership. The meeting highlighted TTSWG activities and strategic plans for the year.
In 2023, we held a webinar themed “The Role of ICT in Deepening Democracy and Sustainable Governance.” The session included advocacy on the extension of digital literacy to children from an early age and a drive for reorientation on democracy and governance for Nigerians, and 146 individuals took part.
Also in 2023, we partnered and participated in the Tech Unite Africa Conference with TTWSG. The conference brought together the brightest minds in the African tech industry, with industry veterans and trailblazers providing mentorship to upcoming tech startups and innovators. Following the conference, TTSWG organized an exhibition to educate participants on the importance and benefits of sustainability in the tech industry and inspire them to adopt sustainable practises in their sector. Overall, the conference attracted and directly impacted over 350 participants.
In 2023, in partnership with TTSWG ahead of its flagship Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC). IHS Nigeria took part in the IMC press conference, which was held at Mulliner Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos State. The IMC is designed to feature, celebrate, and empower young creatives in the technology space who can make a positive difference and showcase their technology-driven ideas and products. The goal of the program was to provide publicity for the IMC program, spur participation, and encourage technological innovations amongst young people.
In 2023, we were actively involved with 20 innovators selected for a virtual Innovators Boot Camp. The top five presented their ideas at the IMC Conference in Lagos. It featured keynote addresses, exhibitions, and pitch sessions by five young innovators, of whom three young innovators (OJ Technologies, OneGrid Energies, and Kugatel) were awarded. The conference also showcased the first African humanoid robots Kikishagi and Ommeife from the Federal Government Girls College in Sagamu. Overall, the program attracted over 305 attendees and 17 exhibitors.
In 2024, we continued to strengthen our partnership with TTSWG. TTSWG produced two research publications titled, Co-Working Spaces and Remote Work Culture in Nigeria and Coping with Solar Waste in Nigeria: Strategies for Managing Waste and Averting Environmental Pollution.
The publications highlight Nigeria’s shift to remote work and co-working spaces, fostering innovation as well as the importance of managing solar waste to mitigate environmental risks, crucial for Nigeria’s energy transition.
We continued to participate in TTSWG’s flagship Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC) as a key partner, celebrating and empowering young creatives in the technology space. Our commitment is exemplified by our support of groundbreaking projects like OneGrid Energies’ initiative. In 2024, a project completion meeting was held with Mr. Valentine Nnamani, Founder of OneGrid Energies (a 2023 IMC grantee) by the TTSWG. The project focused on producing 150 low-cost rechargeable lanterns from locally sourced materials like waste plastic bottles and e-waste lithium-ion batteries from discarded laptops. OneGrid Energies also deployed a community-wide solar charging station in Omasi-Uno, Ayamelum, aiming to scale up to benefit 10,000 people with an additional 10 smart solar charging stations.
We also took part in the 2024 TTSWG’s Strategic Board Meeting which took place in Abuja. The meeting focused on outlining a roadmap for 2025 and beyond. IHS’ participation was crucial for engaging with board members and influencing discussions aimed at shaping the future of sustainability within Nigeria’s telecommunications and technology sectors. For more information, please visit https://www.ttswg.org/
Partnership with SPIN
IHS Nigeria is proudly an institutional member of the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN). SPIN is a non-profit organization that promotes the practice and profession of sustainability in line with global best practices in Nigeria. We were the headline sponsor of the 2023 SPIN induction ceremony, and members of our sustainability unit were inducted as fellows, full members, and associate members of SPIN.
The Sustainable Solution Africa (SSA) Program
The Sustainable Solution Africa (SSA) program served as part of the 2023 World Youth Skills Day. In partnership with We for Good, IHS Nigeria promoted the skills development of young people across Nigeria and Africa for sustainable growth, unemployment reduction, and poverty alleviation on the continent. The SSA program featured a fellowship program, which involved IHS Nigeria and We for Good engaging and coaching of 10 startups. Six of these startups distinguished themselves to a panel of jurors and were provided with seed grants. The panel of jurors was comprised of c-suite executives and subject matter experts in the field of sustainability.
Partnerships and Thought Leadership Programs
Responsible and sustainable practices are a priority in our procurement activities and across our supply chain.
With increasing awareness of ESG risks, companies need to address issues across their supply chain by actively engaging with their suppliers.
Our sustainability team collaborated with the Supply Chain function on a training titled “Integrating Sustainability in Supply Chain Management” in 2023. The training aimed to enhance our supplier’s knowledge on ESG integration in their business operations.
In 2023, IHS Nigeria participated in the WeConnect Africa Regional Conference themed “Impact Through Connection: Together Building Sustainable Prosperity” virtually, and physically at the Prestigious Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Nigeria. The event convened regional supplier diversity and included conversations with female business owners, member buyers, corporations, development players, and governments to help open new markets for women-owned businesses in Africa. Additionally, IHS Nigeria was represented at the program and the conference attracted over 350 participants.
To further integrate sustainability into our supply chain management in 2024, IHS Nigeria hosted a Sustainability/ESG Suppliers training themed “Sustainable Supply Chain Management,” with 238 suppliers and members of the IHS Procurement and Supply Chain team in attendance. The training aimed to enhance suppliers’ understanding of ESG practices and sustainability principles. Our goal was to foster a culture of sustainability, ensuring suppliers contribute positively to the environment and society, leading to a more responsible supply chain management.
Additionally, the IHS Nigeria Supply Chain team also participated in the Private Sector Forum convening on the Adoption and Implementation of Gender-Responsive Procurement Processes organized by Women In Successful Careers.
