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Sterling One Foundation Announces Afreximbank as Strategic Partner for Africa Social Impact Summit 2024
To foster more private sector participation in the drive towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, the Sterling One Foundation has announced African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) as its strategic partner in hosting the third edition of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) to be held from July 25 -26, 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria.
The event will focus on identifying strategies to mitigate risks in the continent’s investment opportunities to boost impact investment flows, drive policy-influencing conversations, and foster effective partnerships for sustainable growth.
Private sector involvement in driving social impact has hitherto been touted as a key component for achieving the SDGs, given the funding capacities of the sector to drive scale and the opportunity to champion responsible consumption through policies, production processes, output, and specific projects.
Having Afreximbank, the continent’s leading multilateral financial institution devoted to financing and promoting intra – and extra – African trade will help drive conversations in the development financing space.
“ASIS brings together leaders from across sectors to share learnings, ideas, and plans for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa. Trade is a fundamental piece of this development process, and there are few organizations in Africa with the insights to drive increased productivity for the continent like Afreximbank,” explained Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of the Sterling One Foundation.
Mr. Eric Monchu Intong, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Anglophone West Africa at Afreximbank highlighted that the Bank’s collaboration with Sterling One Foundation in hosting the Summit is part of the long-standing and strategic relationship with Sterling Bank Nigeria as it presents an opportunity to support participating organizations. This will be achieved through knowledge sharing on Afreximbank’s mandate, programmes and facilities through which innovative financing solutions are deployed in a bid to increase Africa’s share of global trade.
“We are excited about this partnership as it gives us an opportunity to strengthen alliances for our shared destiny, prosperity and the economic emancipation of our continent under the African Union Agenda 2063 – the Africa we want. We are particularly pleased with its multisectoral approach as we understand that one organisation or one sector alone cannot drive the level of sustainable growth the continent requires,” he added.
Mr. Intong added that Afreximbank has been at the forefront of driving key economic development initiatives across Africa, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) that attracted deals and transactions valued at US$43.8 billion in 2023, African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), a 500-bed quaternary hospital under construction in Abuja, Nigeria to specialize on haematology, oncology, cardiology and general medicine including a nursing and medical school.
The AMCE will also be rolled out in 5 other African countries to turn the continent into a medical tourism hub.
Other initiatives include, the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, the Afreximbank Africa Collaborative Transit Guarantee Scheme and the Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre, among others.
The Africa Social Impact Summit, now in its third year, will be held at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos. It features diverse panel discussions covering climate action, healthcare, education, youth development, and green financing.
The two-day event will also feature a pre-event Investors’ Roundtable in partnership with the Lagos State Government and a Deal Room for impact-focused SME entrepreneurs deploying scalable solutions across Africa. Information about the Summit can be found at www.theimpactsummit.org
About the Organizers:
Sterling One Foundation (SOF) 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. The Foundation’s programmes adopt a central theme of prioritizing partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For more information visit www.onefoundation.ng
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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