Sterling One Foundation, Plan International To Host Africa Social Impact Summit July 10-11

Sterling One Foundation, in partnership with Plan International, has announced that the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) will hold from July 10 to 11, 2025, in Lagos.

This summit will bringing together high-level stakeholders from across the continent to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The announcement was made during a press conference in Abuja by the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, who emphasized that the summit will convene industry leaders, policymakers, private sector actors, civil society, development experts, and international partners for critical conversations and strategic partnerships.

“This summit is a powerful platform to scale up action, forge partnerships, and share innovative solutions that can fast-track Africa’s development,” Ibekwe said. “We are proud to have Plan International as our theme partner for the 2025 edition.”

This year’s summit theme is “Scaling Action: Bold Solutions for Climate Resilience and Policy Innovation” — reflecting a renewed urgency in building inclusive, sustainable, and climate-conscious strategies for development.

Also speaking at the press briefing, Mr. Charles Usie, Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving global development goals, particularly as the world approaches the midpoint of the UN Decade of Action (2020–2030).

“In 2019, the UN Decade of Action was established, but it coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many countries struggling just to survive. While there have been some wins, progress toward the SDGs remains uneven,” Usie said. “The Africa Social Impact Summit emerged as a response to this gap — to bring together public, private, and thought sectors in a unified push for progress.”

He noted that ASIS has grown significantly, with over 500% growth in partnerships and delegate participation since its inception. The summit, he said, is not just a conference but a catalyst for action, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and girls, who are often sidelined in development conversations.

“We are leaving too many girls behind. When critical issues such as the economy, infrastructure, and security dominate policy discussions, girls and women are often treated as afterthoughts,” he lamented. “That has to change.”

Usie highlighted Plan International’s commitment to girl-child education, equity, and inclusion, calling for bold reforms to address systemic neglect. He also referenced recent violence in parts of Nigeria, including Benue State, where women and children have borne the brunt of the crisis, stressing that protecting vulnerable groups must become a national priority.

“We are tired of rhetoric. What we need now is bold action, not just dialogue. Through ASIS and our growing network of partners, we are making measurable impact — including innovative projects like Thrive, which equips girls with digital and entrepreneurial skills,” he added.

The summit is expected to feature panel discussions, innovation showcases, policy roundtables, and commitments from leading institutions, aimed at delivering real solutions in areas such as climate resilience, social inclusion, economic transformation, and governance.

With Plan International leading thematic contributions and Sterling One Foundation providing strategic coordination, the Africa Social Impact Summit 2025 promises to be one of the most influential gatherings focused on driving Africa’s development through partnerships, innovation, and inclusive policies.