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GSMA Report Examines Gender Diversity in the Telecoms Sector

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The GSMA has released a new report, entitled: “Accelerating the Digital Economy: Gender Diversity in the Telecommunications Sector”, which offers a snapshot of the gender balance within companies across the industry.

 Developed by A.T. Kearney1, the study aims to provide a baseline for workforce evolution, share best practices and support the industry in shaping workplaces that take full advantage of gender diversity
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“The rapidly evolving mobile industry is at the centre of the digital revolution and has a huge impact on social and economic advancement. To maintain this pace of growth and innovation, we need to match the requirements of our workforce with the opportunities ahead,” said Anne Bouverot, director general, GSMA.

“This report highlights the benefits of a balanced workforce, but also underscores that a gender gap still exists in our industry. Now is the time for the telecommunications sector to focus on attracting more women to avoid a shortfall in the future talent pipeline and help bridge the gender divide.”

The report highlights that despite some advances in women’s representation and progression in the workplace, there is still significant work needed to bridge the gender gap in the telecommunications industry. Key findings from the research show that:

Female participation in the telecommunications workforce varies widely, ranging from 10 per cent to 52 per cent amongst companies sampled;

In three-quarters of telecommunications companies surveyed, women accounted for less than 40 per cent of the workforce; and

There are notable regional differences among sampled companies, with those in the Americas outperforming their counterparts elsewhere in terms of female representation.

“The research highlights that every company in the telecommunications industry approaches gender diversity from a different starting point and has different country hurdles to overcome,” said Dr Maria Molina, Principal, A.T. Kearney.

“The industry needs to be more systematic and relentless in sharing and adopting best practices with a full commitment to a diverse workforce while respecting local cultural norms and legal obligations.”

The report finds that industry-wide collaboration and transparency, through mechanisms such as annual indexing and sharing of best practices, will also be critical to assessing the ongoing state of the sector and maintaining momentum.

Women in Leadership
The research findings also reveal that the gender gap becomes more pronounced with seniority. Among those surveyed in all regions except North America, on average less than 20 per cent of senior leadership positions are held by women. In most regions excluding North America, the proportion of women at senior level is generally half of those at entry level. For the African companies in the study, less than one in 10 of their senior leaders are women.

One potential explanation for the low female representation at senior levels is the education and skills gap around science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). A recent report on member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed that the share of women with science and engineering degrees was only 38 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

Benefits of Gender-Diverse Workforces
Over the years, substantial research has shown that companies with a healthy, gender-diverse workforce are better able to innovate and outperform competition. Studies reveal that gender-diverse organisations are 45 per cent more likely to improve market share, achieve 53 per cent higher returns on equity and are 70 per cent more likely to report successfully capturing new markets.

In addition to the financial benefits, other advantages of a diverse workforce include the impact on the business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) segments of the market. While most companies target women as end users, few effectively leverage female talent to identify what these end users want and need4. However, companies that employ women in the workplace can improve the likelihood of success for new products and services by 144 per cent.

Addressing the Digital Gender Divide
In order to support the industry in its efforts to move towards a more equitable gender balance, the report highlights best practices across the ‘employee journey’, such as:
Awareness and outreach programmes to equip young girls and women with the skills and inspiration needed to pursue a career in STEM and relevant qualifications;
-Tailored job descriptions, gender-balanced applicant quotas and balanced recruitment panels;
-Initiatives perceived as added value for both men and women, such as flexible working arrangements;
-Formal succession planning, sponsoring mentor programmes, unconscious-bias training and gender-specific training; and
-Returnships (return-to-work internships) and phase-back programmes to fill the talent pipelines, particularly at management levels.
The report highlights a number of existing initiatives designed to address the gender gap in the ICT sector. For example, through the #InspireHerMind campaign and Girls Who Code camp, the Verizon Foundation is making progress in altering stereotypes and equipping schoolchildren with the inspiration and skills they need to pursue a career in STEM. Intel also recently announced that it plans to invest US $300 million to help build a talent pipeline with a goal to achieve full representation of women and under-represented minorities by 2020.

However, whilst the initiatives and implementation of good practices are crucial, the report finds that a holistic strategy focused on transforming company culture and mindset is essential to workplace evolution.

The GSMA’s Connected Women programme6 supports cultivating wider change and promotes the greater inclusion of women across the mobile industry, as consumers, employees and leaders.

“Corporate culture plays an important role in any existing gender imbalance. However, governments and policymakers, alongside industry stakeholders, should also play their part in creating sustainable gender diversity in vibrant sectors such as telecommunications,” continued Bouverot. “Ultimately we need to work together to mobilise more women to recognise the myriad opportunities for their talents in the mobile and ICT industry.”


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Adeleke Describes Adenuga’s Contribution to African Economy as Unquantifiable

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Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Governor, has described the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr., as an icon who has made enormous contributions to the development of Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking when he received the Public Sector team from Globacom in his office at Osogbo recently, the governor also commended the positive impact the company has made in the telecoms industry in terms of innovation and pricing.

He described Dr Adenuga as a great believer in Nigeria “whose impact on the Nigerian and the African economy cannot be quantified”.

Adeleke assured the Globacom team led by Niyi Odejobi of his government’s readiness to explore areas of business partnership with the company. “Be rest assured that this partnership is already a reality. We just need to work out the details”, Senator Adeleke noted.

He urged telecommunications companies to strengthen ties with the state government, adding that “the subnational entities are where your market is. Even though the regulatory body is national, your market base remains the states and the local governments. You must deliberately prioritize partnership with the state government.

“The telecom community must understand that giving full support to the states in terms of payment of right taxes and corporate social responsibility is an investment in your market. The more robust the state governments are, the more buoyant your market will be,” the governor said.

In his own remarks, Odejobi pledged Globacom’s support for the growth and development of Osun State, adding that it would deploy various internet and digital infrastructure to promote governance and businesses in the state.


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Foodstuff Store introduces Innovative Recycling Program

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Foodstuff Store, an AgriTech company on Wednesday announced the introduction of its innovative recycling program. The expansion of the corporate mission to include waste management and recycling solutions underlines the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Foodstuff Store is providing a way by which their customers who are provided with wholesome and fresh food products directly from farmers can now dispose of their plastic wastes as an added service, thereby reducing their ecological footprint.

For every waste item delivered for recycling by customers, they’ll receive a credit that can be used for a next purchase at the Foodstuff Store.

Not only will this ensure a contribution to a cleaner environment, but it will also provide a way to incentivise their efforts towards adopting sustainability practices.

“We are thrilled to offer our customers a convenient way to recycle and contribute to a cleaner Nigeria and a cleaner planet,” says Diana Tenabe, Chief Operating Officer at Foodstuff Store. “By offering rewards for recycling, we hope to incentivize eco-conscious behavior within our communities in Nigeria.”

Nigeria faces a significant challenge with plastic pollution. The prevalence of single-use plastics, which is caused by widespread use of sachet water pouches, plastic shopping bags, and take-away containers, leads to massive waste generation. There are also recycling capacity challenges in Nigeria, where only a small percentage of plastic waste gets recycled.

Additionally, indiscriminate disposal of plastics and other waste materials contributes to overflowing landfills with plastics, clogged drainages that lead to flooding, and harming marine life.

Foodstuff Store believes that by working together with its customers, it can create a positive impact on the environment. This new program allows customers to enjoy the quality products and services they expect from Foodstuff Store, while also contributing to a more sustainable future.


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Edenlife Opens the first Homemade Outlet Store in Oniru, to open 49 more Across the Country 

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Homemade by Eden, the food retail business of Nigerian home concierge startup, Edenlife has marked a significant step towards National expansion with the launch of its first Outlet store in Oniru, Lagos State. This move signals the company’s commitment to bringing its signature homemade meals directly to consumers across the country.

Commenting on the launch of the Oniru Outlet, Nadayar Enegesi, CEO of Edenliife stated, ‘’At Eden Life, it’s in our DNA to adapt and meet the evolving needs of our consumers.

The new outlet store by Homemade exemplifies this commitment. These outlet stores will deliver delicious, home-cooked meals to its customers and create job opportunities in logistics and tech support, driving local economic growth.

By sourcing fresh ingredients from smaller Nigerian farms, we strengthen the agricultural sector and ensure a reliable supply chain. And there’s more to come we have plans to launch mobile kitchens in other strategic locations across the nation.

It’s a win-win situation – our customers enjoy a taste of home, we create jobs, empower local businesses, and contribute to a stronger Nigerian economy.’’

The establishment of these outlet stores translates to new job opportunities in logistics and potentially tech support for the mobile units. Additionally, the focus on fresh, local ingredients could encourage partnerships with smaller Nigerian farms, strengthening the agricultural sector and supporting local food production.

This localized approach to food delivery keeps money circulating within communities and fosters a more sustainable economic ecosystem.

Speaking at the launch event on Friday, May 10, 2024, Orafiri Adoki, Business Lead of Homemade stated that some of Nigeria’s food culture has not been fully explored.

She stated, “Nigeria has such a rich culture around food, which has not been explored to its maximum. So, with the launch of the Homemade outlet, we hope to introduce some of the meals Nigerians are used to at home while providing creative and innovative ways to enjoy these meals,” .

As Nigeria’s e-commerce sector continues to evolve, Eden Life’s innovative approach positions the company as a frontrunner in driving industry growth and reshaping consumer expectations. By providing a seamless omnichannel shopping experience, Edenliife not only captures market share but also cultivates meaningful connections with Nigerian consumers.

Nigeria’s e-commerce industry has been experiencing a boom in recent years, driven by factors like increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and a growing young population. The e-commerce market in Nigeria is estimated to be around USD 8.53 billion in 2024.

It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.82% during the forecast period (2024-2029), reaching approximately USD 14.92 billion by 2029. E-commerce is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory in Nigeria, presenting immense potential for e-commerce platforms like Edenlife to capitalize on the rising demand for convenient and affordable food options.


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