Sterling One Foundation Partners ASA To Drive Food Security In Africa

Sterling One Foundation has announced its partnership with Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA), a high-level convening organised by Sterling Bank alongside partners, including the Benue State government, the African Union, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Leadway Assurance, and other stakeholders to advance food security across the African continent.

The event will be held on November 11 to 12, 2024 in Abuja with the theme; ‘Transitioning from Scarcity to Security’.

Speaking on the partnership, CEO, Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe stated, “ASA is a platform for driving solutions to Africa’s food security challenges. At Sterling One Foundation, food security is a thematic focus area, and the theme of this event aligns with our commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, through targeted programs.

“By equipping them with skills, financial resources, and market access, we aim to build resilient systems that support sustainable agricultural growth and improve livelihoods across communities.”

She explained that “food security is a thematic focus area for Sterling One Foundation. With agriculture as a central pillar of African economies and the majority of its population reliant on farming for livelihoods, enhancing the resilience and productivity of this sector is essential.

“ASA provides a collaborative platform to explore sustainable solutions that can address the continent’s food challenges amid increasing demand and environmental pressures.

“Sterling One Foundation has developed impactful, scalable models to strengthen the agricultural value chain by empowering vulnerable groups, especially women and youth.

“The Agriculture Support Program for Rural Women Farmers enhances productivity and resilience, equipping women with resources and technical training to boost yields, income, and food security. Additionally, the Youth Agro Development Program (YAD) engages young people in agribusiness, providing them with advanced skills, financing, and market access. This initiative drives job creation, sparks innovation, and ensures sustainable growth within the agricultural ecosystem.”

ASA will feature focused panel sessions and high-level conversations with leaders from the public sector, private sector, and third sector, aimed at exploring actionable strategies to address Africa’s agricultural challenges and drive food security across the continent.

Sterling One Foundation remains deeply committed to creating impactful solutions that address food security and empower vulnerable communities. By building resilient agricultural systems and supporting inclusive growth, the foundation is dedicated to a sustainable future where all communities can thrive.

Sterling One Foundation is a registered non-profit focused on tackling the root causes of poverty in Nigeria, and Africa through interventions and social impact programmes across five critical sectors namely: climate action, health, education and youth development, gender equality and empowerment, and food security.