Nigeria, China sign MoU to boost women’s role in gas sector

Nigeria and China have taken a major step towards inclusive energy development as the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand women’s participation in the gas sector and accelerate the transition to clean cooking.

The agreement, signed in Beijing during the first-ever Nigeria–China Women’s Infrastructure Investment Forum, was aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and households through sustainable energy access.

Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who co-hosted the forum, described the MoU as a “decisive shift from policy dialogue to measurable action,” noting that it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on women’s empowerment and energy transition.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is clear: empower women, strengthen families, and create shared prosperity,” she said.

The forum, themed “Investing in Nigeria’s Future: Harnessing Gender-Responsive Infrastructure for Sustainable Growth and Social Resilience,” brought together investors, development partners, and government officials from both countries to discuss inclusive investment opportunities in energy, agriculture, and trade.

Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, commended the ministry’s leadership and reaffirmed legislative support through the proposed Reserved Seats Bill for Women.
Representatives from the Bureau of Public Procurement and the China Chamber of Commerce for the Petroleum Industry commended the initiative as a model for gender-responsive investment and equitable economic growth. 

Ms. Ma Li of the China Chamber of Commerce also extended warm regards to the Nigerian delegation, noting that the partnership sets a strong example of cross-border cooperation for gender-responsive investment and sustainable development.

The forum also featured Nigerian private-sector partners, including Newbury Energy Ltd and Easy Sales Export, who shared experiences on empowering women as key drivers of productivity and innovation.

Both organisations continue to support the implementation of the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII 774), the Ministry’s flagship initiative targeting 10 million women across all 774 local government areas through programmes in agriculture, energy, digital inclusion, and family infrastructure.

Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs will commence immediate implementation of the new agreement, working closely with its partners to ensure transparency, accountability, and measurable impact.

“These engagements are not ceremonial; they are operational blueprints for change. By investing in women, we are investing in the future of Nigeria,” the Minister concluded.