The Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) is a Convening for Regional Inclusive Development conversations that will provide an opportunity for the private sector and impact investors organized by the Sterling One Foundation and the United Nations Global Compact. The aim of the 2-Day summit is to enable impact investors to design market-led solutions and accelerate impact investment into Africa to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 with focus on Climate Solutions, Circular Economy, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Education, Health and WASH. The theme for the summit was “Global Vision, Local Action: Repositioning the African Development Ecosystem for Sustainable Outcomes”.
It was a call for effective collaboration by all players in Africa’s development sector including government, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the development community to ensure an all-inclusive approach to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”.
ASIS Conference 2023 had a distinguished line up of global speakers like the United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, former Malawian President, Joyce Banda, the United Stated Consul General, Will Stevens, the German Consul General, Mr. Börner, KPMG Boss, Adrian Clamp, Sterling Bank CEO, Abubakar Suleiman, Senior Special Adviser on Industrialization to the President of the African Development Bank, Professor Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, and so much more.
In his Opening remark, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, drew the attention of delegates to the important role played by the Social Impact, Non-profit sector in ensuring improved standards of living for people. He said “we exist because there is failure on the side of the government and private sector resulting from competition” either with opposition parties or with other services providers; the nonprofit sector is the only “sector that cannot afford to be in competition” we must look for ways to collaborate for the good of the public.
Matthias Schmale in his remark stated that “Africa’s private sector can be a catalyst for change and they can achieve this by embedding sustainability in their activities.”
In her Keynote address, Amina Mohammed emphasized that there is a clear case for investment in Africa. “Investments must go beyond extracting raw materials and on to portfolios that are sustainable economically and socially.”
Other speakers reiterated the importance of collaboration and inclusion in ensuring we achieve the SDGs leaving no one behind.
