Building the Future Together: NETIS, Proparco and Rise on a Gender Equity Journey
Proparco (Groupe AFD) and NETIS. A collaboration on sustainable investment, gender inclusion, and ESG transformation across global operations.
At Rise Sustainability, we believe real change happens when brave ideas meet practical action. One such story comes from our collaboration with NETIS Group, a powerful example of what’s possible when organisations put gender equity at the heart of business strategy.
In partnership with Proparco’s Technical Assistance (TA) programme, we were honoured to walk alongside NETIS on a journey that is still shaping futures across Africa today. It’s a journey marked by courage, collaboration and the quiet power of women leading change in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
A Shared Vision: Gender Equity in Infrastructure and Energy
The infrastructure, energy and telecommunications industries have long been dominated by men. But times are changing. More and more, businesses are recognising that gender diversity is not a nice-to-have, it’s essential for resilience, innovation and inclusive growth.
For NETIS, a pan-African infrastructure group, gender inclusion wasn’t just a corporate buzzword. It was a strategic priority. They knew that creating a more diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace could transform not just their company culture, but the way they operate across the continent.
In 2023, NETIS partnered with Proparco to access gender-focused Technical Assistance, a collaboration that brought Rise Sustainability and other specialists on board to support them in developing a clear, ambitious gender strategy.
Women in leadership roles in infrastructure, construction, and engineering — challenging gender stereotypes and promoting equality in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
Why Technical Assistance Matters
The feedback from NETIS was clear: Proparco’s extra-financial support made all the difference.
“The support went far beyond financial assistance; it allowed us to engage with specialists who helped shape our vision and strategy around gender and inclusion. It was decisive.”
Before the TA programme, gender inclusion was on NETIS’ radar, but like many organisations, they lacked time, budget and in-house expertise to bring their ideas to life. With our help, that changed. Together, we designed and delivered a bespoke programme of gender strategy development, training, communications and resource building, aligned with their vision, responsive to their reality, and rooted in impact.
A Cultural Shift Across the Group
This project wasn’t just a tick-box exercise. It sparked a cultural shift.
Today, NETIS has:
A group-wide Diversity & Inclusion policy and handbook
Tailored training materials on gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH)
Communications assets that amplify women’s voices
Gender committees and focal points in every country of operation
A reinvigorated internal commitment to long-term gender equity goals
The feedback has been heartfelt:
“This project marked a cultural shift for NETIS. We now have the vocabulary, the tools, and the expertise to think big and act fast. It’s clear to us now that we couldn’t have achieved this level of insight and output on our own.”
Natasha Ezekiel, Founder of Rise Sustainability, presents a workplace training on Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH). This moment captures her role in driving organisational change, gender equity, and safe, inclusive work environments globally.
The Women Who Build the Future
As one powerful internal NETIS video put it:
“Women build more than infrastructure, women build the future.”
At NETIS, women are not just present, they are essential. From engineers and technicians to project managers and senior leaders, they’re not only carving out paths for themselves, but building invisible roads for others to follow. They’re breaking barriers, building bridges, and reminding us that diversity is a strength.
The video, shared widely across social media, paid tribute to these women’s resilience, strength and leadership. It gave many of us goosebumps, and rightly so. It’s not every day that we see infrastructure work and gender empowerment celebrated side by side.
“Every woman who stands up helps an entire continent rise.”
A video celebrating women in leadership at NETIS. With testimonials and footage of women engineers, managers, and technicians, the film honours their role in breaking barriers and building Africa’s future. A tribute to gender equity, diversity, and the power of representation in infrastructure sectors.
A Work in Progress – With Hope at the Heart
While NETIS has made huge strides, their journey is ongoing. Some next steps, such as the rollout of the VENUS programme, formalised mentorship schemes, and NETIS Talks series, are on the horizon but still require funding. The internal drive is there, the leadership support is strong, and the momentum is real.
At Rise Sustainability, we continue to walk alongside them, offering support, strategy, and technical advice as needed. We believe deeply in this kind of long-term partnership. Because building a gender-equitable future isn’t a sprint, it’s a continuous effort, one that requires consistency, courage and collaboration.
Why This Matters for Business (and Beyond)
Embedding gender equity into core business operations is no longer optional. It’s central to sustainable development, ESG leadership, and commercial success. Companies that prioritise inclusion see stronger employee retention, greater innovation, better decision-making and broader social impact.
This project with NETIS, supported by Proparco and delivered in partnership with a range of gender experts, proves just how transformative it can be. From policy to practice, from boardroom to field site, gender equity has become a driving force, not just a box to tick, but a way to build better.
Women thriving in operational and technical roles across infrastructure, logistics, and ESG-aligned sectors — reinforcing Rise Sustainability’s mission of equity and inclusion at every level.
Let’s Keep Building Together
We’re deeply grateful to NETIS, Proparco and all the stakeholders who made this project possible. To the women who shared their stories, stood up, spoke out, and continue to lead — thank you. Your courage is shaping the future.
At Rise Sustainability, we remain committed to supporting organisations across Africa, Asia and beyond who want to embed inclusion into their DNA. If you're looking to move from intention to action on gender and ESG, we’d love to help.
Let’s build a more inclusive future — together.
