ASIS 2026 set to catalyse $500m investment deals

The Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) expects to catalyse more than $500 million in investment deals this year as it seeks to deepen its role as a platform for mobilising capital, forging partnerships and advancing sustainable development across the continent, according to organisers.

The target was announced at a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 2026 edition of the summit, which will bring together policymakers, investors, development finance institutions and business leaders in Lagos next month to explore financing solutions for Africa’s most pressing economic and social challenges.

Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation – the lead conveners – said the summit has already facilitated more than $1 billion dollars in investments and partnerships since its inception and is looking to significantly scale that impact amid growing demand for capital across critical sectors of the African economy.

“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,” Ibekwe said.

“We are excited to unveil an edition that is bigger, more collaborative and more action-oriented than ever before. We expect deals of $500 million to be signed this year.”

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The summit, scheduled for July 22-24 at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, comes as African economies grapple with tighter global financial conditions, climate-related risks, food insecurity and demographic pressures driven by one of the world’s fastest-growing youth populations.

Organisers say the event is designed to move beyond policy discussions by facilitating concrete transactions, partnerships and investment commitments capable of generating measurable economic and social outcomes.

This year’s edition will be held under the theme, “Financing for Development: Building Resilience and Transforming Emerging Economies,” reflecting growing efforts across the continent to attract long-term capital into sectors considered critical for sustainable growth.

The summit will focus on investment opportunities in education, healthcare, climate resilience, food systems, gender inclusion, youth development, the creative economy and sustainable finance.

High-level dialogues, investor roundtables and private-sector engagements are expected to form a central part of the programme.

More than 2,000 delegates from over 50 countries are expected to attend, including heads of government, multilateral institutions, development finance organisations, global investors, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and will have BusinessDay as one its critical media partners.

Ibekwe said the future of Africa’s economic transformation would depend largely on the quality of partnerships forged between governments, investors, development institutions and the private sector.

The summit has evolved into one of Africa’s largest platforms dedicated to financing sustainable development, providing a forum where stakeholders can align capital with development priorities while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Speaking at the briefing, Mohamed Malick Fall,
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, said stronger partnerships would be essential to unlocking the investments required to address the continent’s development needs.

“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,” Fall said.

“Together, we can build resilient economies that leave no one behind.”

Abubakar Suleiman, Abubakar Suleiman, MD/CEO Sterling Bank and board member, Sterling One Foundation, said the summit’s success should ultimately be measured by the quality of commitments generated rather than the scale of participation.

“What we are building through ASIS is not just a convening, but a long-term platform for action,” Suleiman said.

“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.”