The Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) has mobilised more than $1 billion in funding for sustainable development projects across Africa, with organisers now projecting an additional $500 million in investment commitments at its upcoming 2026 edition.
The announcement was made in Abuja by the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, during a press briefing unveiling plans for the fifth edition of the summit scheduled for July 22–24, 2026, in Lagos.
Ibekwe said ASIS has grown into one of Africa’s leading platforms for mobilising catalytic capital and driving market-based solutions to the continent’s development challenges.
According to her, the summit has already facilitated over $1 billion in investment across key sectors and is expected to secure more than $500 million in deals at the 2026 edition.
She stressed that Africa’s progress depends heavily on the strength of partnerships between governments, investors, development institutions and the private sector.
The 2026 edition of ASIS, themed “Financing for Development: Building Resilience and Transforming Emerging Economies,” will convene more than 2,000 delegates from over 50 countries.
Participants will include heads of government, multilateral institutions, development finance bodies, global investors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and policy experts.
The summit is being co-convened by Sterling One Foundation and the United Nations in Nigeria alongside other strategic partners.
Organisers said discussions will focus on unlocking capital and partnerships across critical sectors including education, healthcare, climate resilience, food systems, gender equality, youth empowerment, the creative economy, and sustainable finance.
The goal, they said, is to move beyond dialogue and accelerate investment-driven solutions that deliver measurable impact across African economies.
UN highlights power of partnerships
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, emphasised that Africa’s development trajectory depends on effective collaboration among governments, the private sector, and development partners.
He noted that ASIS provides a unique platform for aligning investment, innovation, and policy to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Africa’s greatest opportunity lies in the strength of its partnerships,” he said, adding that collective action remains key to building resilient and inclusive economies.
MD/CEO of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said the summit is designed not just as a conference but as a long-term platform for action.
He stressed that commitments made during the summit must translate into tangible outcomes that continue long after the event ends.
“What we are building through ASIS is not just a convening, but a long-term platform for action,” he said.
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Organisers said ASIS 2026 will take place at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos at a time when Africa is facing major structural pressures, including climate shocks, food insecurity, shifting global capital flows, and rapid population growth.
They added that the summit is positioned to help convert these challenges into investment opportunities that drive inclusive and sustainable growth.
Since its launch in 2022, ASIS has evolved into a major continental platform supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s long-term development agenda under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.