As the world marks International Women’s Day, Mojisola Sayo-Kazeem, Head of Finance, Jumia Nigeria & Ghana, reflects on how giving opportunity, mentorship, and support helps women thrive and strengthens organisations.

The future of work is digital, and for women it presents immense opportunities to innovate, lead, and shape the global economy. Yet thriving in a fast-paced, data-driven environment requires more than ambition or technical expertise. It requires opportunity and leadership that intentionally creates space for people to grow.

Reflecting on my own journey, I am reminded of how powerful those opportunities can be. I joined Jumia in 2012 as an accountant and, over time, grew into my current role as Head of Finance for Nigeria and Ghana.

Each stage of that journey came with new responsibilities and lessons that shaped my leadership perspective. One thing has become clear: growth rarely happens in isolation. It flourishes in environments where people are trusted, challenged, and supported to reach their full potential.

One of the most defining pillars of my career has been working within an organisation that invests in talent and encourages merit-based growth. At Jumia, a guiding principle is simple: let the best people and ideas grow. When organisations prioritise capability and innovation rather than bias, they create environments where individuals can thrive, and leadership potential can emerge naturally.

Leadership plays a crucial role in making this possible. Good leadership sharpens growth and experience, not only for the leader but for the teams they support. I have benefitted from leaders who shared knowledge, offered guidance, and entrusted me with meaningful responsibilities. Those opportunities challenged me to expand my skills, strengthen my judgement, and grow into larger leadership roles.

One experience that stands out was leading my team through the launch of a new business line under the guidance of our CFO. It demanded greater accountability, transparency, and strategic thinking. Looking back, it was more than a professional milestone, it was an opportunity to deepen my expertise and strengthen my leadership capacity.

Moments like these remind me that opportunity is one of the most powerful investments leaders can make in people. I also recognise and commend the many leaders who are already creating pathways for women to grow, lead, and contribute meaningfully. Their commitment to fairness, mentorship, and inclusion continues to open doors for others.

But there is still more to be done. As we mark International Women’s Day, this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” invites leaders to reflect and to act. It challenges us to go beyond good intentions and intentionally create opportunities for women to grow and thrive based on merit, not favouritism or bias. This means sharing knowledge, investing in development, offering mentorship, and trusting capable women with meaningful responsibilities.

When we do this, we strengthen the people and institutions around us. Teams become more confident and capable, organisations become more resilient, and leadership pipelines become stronger and more diverse.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, reminds us that generosity is not subtraction, it is multiplication. When people, organisations, and communities give time, knowledge, visibility, advocacy, and support, opportunities for women expand. And when women thrive, industries, economies, and societies thrive with them.

When we give, we gain. The question for all of us is simple: What will you give to gain gender equality?