Private sector leaders pledge stronger actions on SDGs
Private sector leaders and development partners have pledged stronger collaborations to accelerate Africa’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was the highlight of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2025 Partners Connect, hosted in Lagos by Sterling One Foundation in partnership with the United Nations, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, and […]
Private sector leaders and development partners have pledged stronger collaborations to accelerate Africa’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was the highlight of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2025 Partners Connect, hosted in Lagos by Sterling One Foundation in partnership with the United Nations, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, and the British Council Nigeria.
The event, held at the British Council Nigeria office in Ikoyi, brought together key stakeholders ahead of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, signaling the readiness of Africa’s private sector to co-create solutions for sustainable development.
Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, said the Partners Connect was designed to ensure that the energy from the summit translates into tangible community impact. “ASIS has always been about catalyzing impact through collaboration. Partners Connect ensures that the energy from the Summit translates into measurable outcomes that uplift communities and address Africa’s most pressing challenges,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Thembekile Dube-Ncube emphasized the global importance of the gathering. “Partnerships like this are exactly what Africa needs — coalitions of public, private, and development sector actors working together to deliver solutions at scale. The UN is committed to walking this journey with partners, ensuring no one is left behind,” she said.
British Council Nigeria Country Director, Donna McGowan, reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to driving social impact across the continent. “The British Council is honored to host this gathering and remains committed to strengthening social impact ecosystems that foster a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Africa,” she said.
The meeting drew participation from senior representatives of MTN, Sahara Group, IHS Towers, Woodhall Capital, Phillips Consulting, Sterling Bank and The Alternative Bank, among others. It featured keynote addresses, reflections from the 2025 ASIS Summit, a private film screening from the British Council’s Film Lab Africa accelerator, and commitment sessions where partners pledged to scale up initiatives that deliver measurable social impact.
The United Nations System (UNS) in Nigeria, comprising 19 resident and 4 non-resident entities, has had a long and productive engagement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria since its independence.