EKEDC is one of 11 Nigerian electricity distribution companies privatized in 2013, and serves 494,000 customers. In 2018, women made up 20 percent of the company’s workforce. USAID is proud to work with EKEDC in their commitment to improve gender equality in the energy sector as part of their path to long-term success.

Nigeria is the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, but limitations in the power sector constrain growth. Currently Nigeria has the potential to generate 12,522 megawatts (MW) of electric power from existing plants, but most days is only able to generate around 4,000 MW, which is insufficient. In 2017, only 54 percent of the population had access to electricity.

Nigeria has a national gender policy that focuses on the empowerment of women and advocates against any form of discrimination against women. However in daily life women still experience significant gender gaps. Women make up 45 percent of the total labor force in Nigeria, however, Most Nigerian women work in services and only 13 percent of working women are wage and salaried workers compared to 23 percent of men. Moreover, Nigeria’s gender pay gap is one of the highest in the world: On average a man earns 54 percent more than a woman.

USAID is partnering with EKEDC through the Engendering Utilities program to assist in the development and implementation of their tailored action plan to incorporate gender equity into their business practices. The action plan included targeted interventions, such as the institution of gender-equitable job candidate attraction and selection processes, competency-based hiring processes to reduce gender bias, and the institution of gender-equitable employee development and succession planning. EKEDC’s HR specialists also took part in Engendering Utilities’ customized Gender Equity Executive Leadership program, in partnership with Georgetown University. This partnership has resulted in significant and substantial progress toward a gender-equitable future for the company.

USAID’s Engendering Utilities program works with organizations in male-dominated industries to increase economic opportunities for women, improve gender equality, boost business performance, and strengthen economies. Through a customized best practices framework, demand-driven coaching, and a Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program, Engendering Utilities builds the capacity of leaders to implement gender equality interventions that increase the professional participation of women and meet their core business goals.

Launched in 2015, the Engendering Utilities program demonstrates USAID’s commitment to promote a path to self-reliance and resilience in developing countries by fostering enterprise-driven innovation, inclusive economic growth, and gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Engendering Utilities is a key activity under the U.S. Government’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP), which aims to reach 50 million women by 2025 through innovative and effective programs.