The Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2026 press conference was held on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, at the United Nations House in Abuja, Nigeria. Hosted by Sterling One Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations in Nigeria and other partners, the event unveiled the summit's vision and strategic priorities. ASIS 2026 will take place from 22 to 24 July 2026 at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos under the theme “Financing for Development: Building Resilience and Transforming Emerging Economies.”
Key Announcements and Partnerships
The briefing gathered media, government representatives, development institutions, private sector leaders, and strategic partners. Mohamed Malick Fall, UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, emphasized collective action: “Africa’s greatest opportunity lies in the strength of its partnerships. The Africa Social Impact Summit continues to provide a unique platform where governments, the private sector, development partners and civil society come together to mobilise the investments, innovation and collaboration needed to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Together, we can build resilient economies that leave no one behind.”
Abubakar Suleiman, Board Member of Sterling One Foundation, stressed sustained commitment: “What we are building through ASIS is not just a convening, but a long-term platform for action. The conversations we are having today must translate into real commitments, measurable outcomes and partnerships that outlive the summit itself. That is how we move from intention to impact across the continent.”
Financial Targets and Impact
Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, noted that the ASIS platform has already unlocked over $1 billion across sectors and needs to scale significantly. She stated: “The Africa Social Impact Summit is a platform that brings together African leaders, local and international investors, innovative ideas and catalytic capital to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges while unlocking opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth. We are excited to unveil an edition that is bigger, more collaborative and more action-oriented than ever before. We expect deals of over $500 million to be signed this year.”
Summit Focus Areas
Since its inception, ASIS has evolved into a premier platform for market-led solutions and cross-sector collaboration supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. The 2026 edition emphasizes mobilizing investment across critical sectors including education, healthcare, climate resilience, food systems, gender equality, youth development, the creative economy, and sustainable finance. High-level dialogues, investor roundtables, and solution-driven engagements aim to accelerate initiatives that strengthen economies and improve livelihoods.
Expected Attendance and Impact
ASIS 2026 expects over 2,000 delegates from more than 50 countries, including heads of government, multilateral organizations, development finance institutions, global investors, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and social innovators. The press conference marked a milestone toward the July convening, building momentum for driving investment, innovation, and impact across the continent.
