LAGOS/Nigeria: The Sterling One Foundation and the United Nations Nigeria, co-conveners of the Africa Social Impact Summit 2023, have officially announced their esteemed partners for the second edition of this transformative summit. Held at a press conference in Lagos, Nigeria, the event also revealed the dates for the Summit, which is set to take place on the 10th and 11th of August 2023 at the prestigious Eko Convention Centre.
Now in its second year, the Africa Social Impact Summit brings together thought leaders, impact investors, and stakeholders from diverse sectors with the aim of addressing critical challenges and designing market-led solutions for sustainable outcomes in Africa. Under the theme “Global Vision, Local Action: Repositioning the African Development Ecosystem for Sustainable Outcomes,” the Summit aims to reshape Africa’s development landscape by fostering collaboration, innovative thinking, and impactful investment in crucial areas such as Climate Solutions, Circular Economy, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Education, Health, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). Moreover, the Summit seeks to accelerate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and the African Union 2063 Agenda.
Mr. Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about partnering on the Summit, highlighting the UN’s dedication to working with the private sector and government to implement a cooperation framework for sustainable development. He emphasized the need for the private sector to move beyond corporate social responsibility (CSR) and integrate sustainability into their business models.
“We want to see all stakeholders, especially the private sector, use the Africa Social Impact Summit as an opportunity to join hands to formulate a rescue plan for the SDGs,” he explained.
Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of the Sterling One Foundation, spoke passionately about the collaborating organizations, stating that they have taken a bold step towards redefining Africa’s future. She expressed her excitement at the number of partners who have joined the initiative, showcasing a growing commitment to sustainable development in Africa.
Among the prominent partners unveiled during the press conference were the Coca-Cola Company, the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, Sterling Bank, the British Council, MTN Foundation, SBG Insurance, the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), the UNIDO Investment Technology Promotion Office, Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Microsoft, SCALE Palladium, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Impact Investors Foundation, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), the Nigeria INGO Forum (NIF), the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), the National Council on Climate Change Foreign Policy, Proshare, Ventures Africa, TechCabal, and Trace TV.
Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, Sterling One Foundation Board of Trustees Member and MD/CEO of Sterling Bank Limited, expressed his excitement about the Summit’s growth within a year of its launch and emphasized the potential progress that can be made with like-minded organizations in attendance. He reaffirmed the Foundation and Sterling Bank’s commitment to fostering collaboration among organizations and connecting entities that share common goals for positive impact.
“I am always pleased to see organizations prioritizing social impact in the way they operate and not as an afterthought because this means that we then have strong commitments and a solid chance at actually pulling people out of poverty,” he said, emphasizing his desire to see “available capital and resources being channeled into meaningful and sustainable impact.”
Registration for the Africa Social Impact Summit 2023 is open to private sector executives, non-profit leaders, impact investors, heads of government parastatals, and every development leader who wishes to be part of this transformative event. Interested parties can register via the website – www.theimpactsummit.org. The Summit will also feature a deal room for impact-focused entrepreneurs seeking funding from investors.
The press conference marked a significant step towards mobilizing collaborative efforts for sustainable development in Africa, demonstrating the commitment of various influential organizations to effecting positive change across the continent.
