By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The Africa Social Impact Summit, ASIS, Global Action Forum has called for stronger partnerships and innovative financing models to accelerate sustainable development across Africa.

The inaugural forum, held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, UNGA81, brought together government officials, business leaders, investors, philanthropists, development institutions and civil society organisations.

Convened by Sterling One Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, with RALLY comprising InnoPower Global and Sagamore as Strategic Co-Hosts, the forum built on discussions from the fifth ASIS held in Lagos in July.

With the theme, “Financing for Development: Building Resilience and Transforming Emerging Economies,” participants examined ways to mobilise domestic and international capital, strengthen partnerships and scale locally driven solutions.

Speaking, the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, said Africa’s development challenges required financing models capable of turning opportunities into measurable results.

He called for stronger collaboration among governments, the private sector, development institutions and philanthropic organisations, while stressing the need to scale homegrown solutions.

Meanwhile, Chief of Strategic Partnerships, UNFPA, Dr. Mariarosa Cutillo, said development financing would have greater impact when linked to strong partnerships, local ownership and measurable outcomes.

Also, Chief Executive Officer of Sagamore, Jay Hein, said Africa had entrepreneurs and locally developed solutions with significant potential, but needed greater access to capital, expertise and partnerships to scale them.

Chairman, Africa Social Impact Network, Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, stressed the need to connect capital with productive capacity, innovation, institutions and local markets.

He noted that the forum was an avenue to launch the $300 million Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy Fund by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Africa50 and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL).

“The fund is expected to support distributed renewable energy solutions, including mini-grids and standalone solar systems, for underserved communities and businesses across Nigeria”, he said.

In her reaction, the CEO of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, said the forum provided an opportunity to connect Africa’s priorities with global capital, expertise and partnerships.

She said the focus should now shift from commitments to implementation and measurable impact.
ASIS said its next edition in 2027 would focus on moving “From Financing to Transformation” and advancing inclusive growth and shared prosperity in Africa.