As the world marks International Women’s Day, the Head of Finance for Nigeria and Ghana at Jumia, Mojisola Sayo-Kazeem, has called on organisations and leaders to create more opportunities for women to grow, lead and contribute meaningfully in the digital economy.
Speaking on the evolving future of work, Sayo-Kazeem said the shift toward a digital and data-driven global economy presents unprecedented opportunities for women. However, she stressed that ambition and technical skills alone are not enough for women to thrive.
According to her, organisations must deliberately provide opportunities, mentorship and supportive leadership structures that allow women to unlock their full potential.
A journey shaped by opportunity
Reflecting on her career journey, Sayo-Kazeem noted that she joined Jumia in 2012 as an accountant and gradually rose through the ranks to become Head of Finance for Nigeria and Ghana.
She explained that each stage of her professional growth brought new responsibilities and experiences that helped shape her leadership style.
“One thing has become clear to me: growth rarely happens in isolation. It flourishes in environments where people are trusted, challenged and supported to reach their full potential,” she said.
Sayo-Kazeem credited her development partly to working in an organisation that promotes merit-based growth and talent development, allowing employees with strong ideas and capabilities to progress regardless of background.
The role of leadership and mentorship
She emphasised that leadership plays a critical role in creating such opportunities, noting that good leaders not only grow themselves but also help their teams expand their skills and confidence.
Throughout her career, she said she benefited from mentors and leaders who shared knowledge, provided guidance and entrusted her with major responsibilities.
One of the defining moments in her career, she recalled, was leading a team during the launch of a new business line under the company’s Chief Financial Officer, a task that required greater accountability, transparency and strategic decision-making.
According to her, the experience strengthened both her professional expertise and leadership capacity.
‘Give to Gain’ for gender equality
Sayo-Kazeem also highlighted the importance of intentional support for women in the workplace, particularly in line with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain.”
She urged leaders to move beyond rhetoric and actively invest in women by sharing knowledge, providing mentorship, supporting professional development and entrusting capable women with leadership responsibilities.
“When organisations prioritise capability and innovation rather than bias, they create environments where individuals can thrive and leadership potential can emerge naturally,” she said.
Stronger organisations through inclusion
According to Sayo-Kazeem, empowering women is not just a social responsibility but also a strategic advantage for organisations.
She explained that when women are supported to succeed, teams become stronger, organisations become more resilient, and leadership pipelines become more diverse.
“The theme ‘Give to Gain’ reminds us that generosity is not subtraction; it is multiplication. When people and organisations give time, knowledge and support, opportunities for women expand,” she said.
She added that when women thrive, industries, economies and societies benefit as well.
“As we mark International Women’s Day, the question for leaders and organisations is simple: what will you give to gain gender equality?” she said.
