SHF Chair recognized among NBC Top 31 Powerhouse Women in Leadership

Cecilia Akintomide, at the helm of global UN fund for sanitation and menstrual health, celebrated for her contribution to global influence and impact, through new paradigms of development finance driving access, opportunities and transformation.

GENEVA/ABUJA, 2 April 2025 - Cecilia Akintomide, chair of the UN’s Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF), has been named to NBC's prestigious list of "Top 31 Powerhouse Women in Leadership" in the March 2025 edition, which celebrates global leaders ‘redefining influence and impact’. A recognized expert in development finance and corporate governance, Akintomide has led SHF, as Board Chair, since its inception in 2021, driving innovative approaches to tackle the global sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health crises. Under her leadership, SHF has pioneered initiatives like Next Generation Sanitation and Capital M which are designed to attract investment into the historically underfunded sectors of sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health. These initiatives aim to create sustainable impact by building sanitation economies and growing the menstrual health market — central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for all.

Today, almost half of the world’s population lacks access to safely managed sanitation; one in three people do not have a handwashing facility with water and soap at home; and one in four women and girls worldwide struggle to manage their menstruation safely, and with dignity (source: UNICEF/WHO JMP). This impacts health, education, growth and prosperity for people and countries. It also has environmental consequences: untreated or poorly treated faecal waste is one of the largest sources of methane, the second largest greenhouse gas (GHG) driver of global warming (source: Global Methane Initiative). However, SDG Target 6.2 related to sanitation, hygiene, menstrual health and wastewater remains amongst the most underfunded SDGs. 

Founded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Switzerland, SHF seeks to address these challenges by applying the best practices of development finance. SHF has grown into a trusted partner for countries working to build their sanitation economies and menstrual health markets through policy and regulatory reform. It has forged innovative partnerships with National Development Banks and is working to scale Micro, Small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Africa through various programs. 

According to estimates published by SHF, sanitation economies could unlock close to USD 19 billion in jobs, growth, opportunities for women and environmental protection in five countries in Africa alone.

“As the world stands at a crossroads in development, sanitation, hygiene, menstrual health, and wastewater present not only challenges but also a tremendous opportunity for innovation and lasting impact,” says Akintomide. “At SHF, we’ve laid a strong foundation for thriving sanitation economies and the menstrual health market. Together with our partners, we are working to ensure financing flows that will deliver transformative change for people, economies, and the environment.”

Akintomide continues, “I accept this recognition with pride and humility on behalf of the entire SHF team. This honor is a reflection of the collective work we have achieved together, and a reminder that we still have much to do to ensure that every person, everywhere, has access to these basic human rights and dignity.”

Ms. Akintomide’s contribution to redefining influence and impact extends far beyond her role at SHF. As former Vice President and Secretary General of the African Development Bank (AfDB), she played a key role in shaping policies that fueled economic growth and financial inclusion across Africa. She currently serves on the boards of several Nigerian companies, advocating for strong corporate governance and greater female leadership — both critical for sustainable development. Across public, private, and international sectors, Akintomide remains committed to empowering communities and creating lasting, transformative impact.