National Employers’ Council delegation visits MTN Benin

By:  Robert Kwaku Annor

A delegation from the National Employers' Council of Benin has visited MTN Benin to commend the company for its continued commitment to promoting women’s leadership and professional development.

The delegation, led by First Vice-President Steve Facia, was received by the Managing Director of MTN Benin, Uche Ofodile. The visiting team included the Director General of the council, Bernard Hounnouvi, the Managing Director of SOPAI, Mauricette Sossa, and the Managing Director of BENIN PETRO SA, Rene Hounsionou.

According to the council, the visit was aimed at congratulating MTN Benin for its sustained efforts to advance women’s leadership through various initiatives designed to support female talent and entrepreneurship.

Among the programmes highlighted during the engagement were the CEO of the Day initiative, the Y’ello Women Workshop, as well as development programmes such as Rising Leaders and Women in Tech. These initiatives are designed to provide women with the tools, exposure and confidence needed to advance in leadership roles and entrepreneurial ventures.

Speaking during the visit, Steve Facia praised the company’s efforts, noting that the employers’ association supports initiatives that empower women and encourage their participation in entrepreneurship and leadership.

MTN Benin indicated that its long-term objective is to transform access to opportunities for women and girls, enabling them to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

The company also revealed plans to expand the impact of the CEO of the Day programme in 2026 by mobilizing up to 100 companies to participate, with the aim of broadening leadership exposure for young women and promoting inclusive leadership practices across the business ecosystem.

In her remarks, Uche Ofodile expressed appreciation for the recognition and emphasized the importance of creating platforms that encourage women to build confidence and leadership capacity. She noted that leadership development requires exposure, trust and high standards, adding that empowering young women through such programmes remains a key priority for the company.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment between MTN Benin and the employers’ council to strengthen the CEO of the Day initiative, expand access to professional development programmes for women, and collaborate to promote inclusive leadership standards across the private sector in Benin.