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Last March, we celebrated International Women’s Day, an annual reminder of the incredible contributions women make across every sector. At Premier Invest, we see this celebration not as a one-off moment, but as a year-round commitment to amplifying women's voices in finance, investment, and leadership.
In this special feature, we share a timely and thought-provoking reflection from Dr. Yvonne C. Ndifor FCCA, MBA, BSc, PhD, Senior Finance Consultant at Premier Invest. With more than 20 years of experience in driving financial strategy, Dr. Ndifor brings a nuanced perspective on what it means to lead with purpose in today’s evolving global economy.
Today’s financial leaders operate in a volatile, fast-moving global environment. From geopolitical shifts to rapid technological transformation, we are witnessing the redefinition of what leadership looks like in real time.
Against this backdrop, purpose-driven leadership—grounded in ethics, resilience, and inclusivity—has never been more critical.
As The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, former Prime Minister of Australia, aptly stated:
"Leadership is about purpose and pursuing that sense of purpose no matter where it takes you."
This ethos resonates deeply across the finance world. Purposeful leadership in finance is not just about delivering returns or meeting KPIs—it is about ensuring that those returns are sustainable, equitable, and aligned with long-term impact. At Premier Invest, these values inform how we approach every transaction, every partnership, and every decision.
Women who lead with purpose bring a distinct edge to the financial sector. Their leadership often integrates mentorship, collaboration, and a deep commitment to legacy-building. In a sector that has traditionally prioritised profit above all else, these qualities help shape a new financial ethos—one rooted in trust, responsibility, and long-term value.
In her own words, Dr. Ndifor reflects:
“A core element of purpose-driven leadership is empowerment. Women leaders who embrace this approach actively invest in mentorship, sponsorship and systemic change... ensuring that their impact extends beyond their immediate organisation and fosters long-term value.”
This is especially vital in finance, where leadership decisions affect not only balance sheets but entire economies and communities.
Despite undeniable progress, women's representation in financial leadership remains disproportionately low. In Africa and globally, women hold less than 10% of top financial executive roles.
Barriers such as limited access to capital, systemic bias, and lack of mentorship still persist. As Dr. Ndifor points out, real change requires more than just symbolic gestures.
To drive transformation, organisations must:
Finance is not immune to the global call for inclusive leadership. If anything, we must be at the forefront.
African financial institutions, in particular, have a unique opportunity to lead. We must move from “diversity pledges” to measurable structural change. As the McKinsey & Company “Women Matter Africa” report outlines, that means anchoring gender strategies in compelling business cases and leadership accountability.
Dr. Ndifor’s closing message is clear:
“There has never been a better time for organisations to invest in leadership pipelines for women and involve them in strategic conversations—because their perspectives are valid, valuable, and vital to driving change.”