FirstBank Champions Women's Empowerment at 2024 Gold & Gemstone Conference

Samuel Mobolaji

FirstBank, the leading West African financial institution and advocate for financial inclusion, has once again sponsored Edo Women in Mining at the 2024 Gold and Gemstone Conference, reinforcing its commitment to women’s economic empowerment and gender inclusivity.

This marks the second consecutive year the bank has supported this important event.

The five-day conference took place from September 24th to 28th at the Civic Centre and Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC). It aimed to promote women’s active participation in the mining sector through various masterclasses, including bead work, metal work, jewellery making, faceting, and gemstone identification.

Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communication at FirstBank, commented on the bank’s sponsorship, stating, “At FirstBank, we recognize women’s critical role in responsible mining and invest in their capacity building, supporting their contributions to environmental sustainability, community growth, and economic prosperity. The mining sector presents unique prospects for growth, and we are committed to supporting women as they harness these sustainability opportunities.”

The conference attracted over 300 women from various African countries, including Zambia and South Africa, providing an invaluable platform for attendees to enhance their skills through expert-led masterclasses. Participants also had the chance to showcase innovative products and services at the exhibition, engage in insightful discussions on industry trends and challenges, and build valuable connections with peers and industry leaders.

FirstBank’s unwavering dedication to empowering women paves the way for financial independence and sustainable success across diverse industries, as the bank continues to invest in initiatives that promote community development and gender equality.