LAGOS/Nigeria: The Sterling One Foundation has lauded the unwavering support of its partners in ensuring the resounding success of the 2023 edition of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS). Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of the foundation, expressed profound appreciation during an event held in Lagos to honor these pivotal collaborators.
Ibekwe emphasized the significance of partnership, affirming that the foundation highly values the collaborative efforts that underpin ASIS. She described ASIS as a vital platform fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders across the development spectrum, aimed at accelerating impactful investments in key sectors to advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Tonight we are appreciating the partners of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) for 2023 from the public sector, the private sector, and the international development community,” Ibekwe remarked, setting the stage for future endeavors. She also announced the forthcoming ASIS event scheduled for July 25-26, 2024, at the Eko Convention Center, themed “Re-imagining Progress: A New Blueprint for Sustainable Development in Africa.”
Ibekwe extended a warm welcome to new partners for the 2024 ASIS, highlighting the imperative of collaborative action in achieving shared goals. “And we are working with our partners and also welcoming new partners that deemed it fit to collaborate with us; they have to realize that silo execution is not reliable and so we have to do it together,” she affirmed.
Furthermore, Ibekwe emphasized that ASIS transcends mere convening, portraying it as an execution platform where collaborative frameworks drive collective progress. “It is definitely not just an event; we are convening to drop new ideas, inspire new projects, and to scale existing fantastic projects,” she elucidated, signaling a shift towards execution mode in 2024.
Among the esteemed partners, Coca-Cola commended the transformative impact of the ASIS platform in driving meaningful discourse and action for Africa’s advancement. Amaka Onyemelukwe, Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability for the Coca-Cola Company, underscored the pivotal role of NGOs and Civil Society Organizations in grassroots advocacy, aligning with Coca-Cola’s commitment to effecting positive change.
Echoing Coca-Cola’s sentiments, Eric Monchu Intong, Regional COO and Head of Mission for Anglophone West Africa at AFREXIM Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to promoting intra-African trade and fostering partnerships that advance mutual objectives. Intong underscored the alignment of AFREXIM Bank’s vision with ASIS, emphasizing the critical role of Sterling Bank as a strategic partner in promoting trade and unity.
In response, Mr. Sulaiman Abubakar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sterling One Foundation, emphasized ASIS’s role as a catalyst for collaboration and problem-solving. Abubakar reiterated Sterling Bank’s commitment to facilitating dialogue and fostering innovative solutions through ASIS, acknowledging its pivotal importance in addressing shared challenges.
“As a bank, we see a lot of people coming to us to solve the same problem over and over again,” Abubakar noted, highlighting ASIS as a transformative platform for collective problem-solving.
The resounding success of the 2023 ASIS underscores the power of partnership and collaboration in driving sustainable development across Africa, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come.
