The Excitement of ASIS 2024 Begins
You know that feeling when you walk into a room and can sense something big is about to happen? That’s exactly how I felt stepping into the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos on July 25th. The Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2024 was kicking off, and the air was buzzing with excitement.
A Global Gathering with a Unified Vision
Picture this: Over 2000 people from 54 countries, all gathered for one goal. It was like a mini-United Nations, but with a laser focus on making Africa better. The theme? “Reimagining Progress: A New Blueprint for Sustainable Growth in Africa.” Sounds fancy, right? But trust me, it was anything but stuffy.
Diverse Participants and Engaging Discussions
For two days, we talked, debated, signed deals, and dreamed big about Africa’s future. With more than 50 speakers and six main sessions, my brain was on information overload – but in the best way possible.
What really struck me was the mix of people. You had your typical big-shot CEOs and government officials, like Abubakar Suleiman, Board member of Sterling One Foundation and CEO of Sterling Bank, and Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State. But right next to them were passionate young entrepreneurs and community leaders. It wasn’t about titles, it was about ideas for impact investment. Seeing such a diverse group of people, from high-level executives to grassroots innovators, all in one place and working towards the same goals, was truly inspiring.
Innovative Solutions and Market-Led Approaches
We dove into some heavy topics: climate action, education, health, renewable energy, refugee issues, creative economy, impact investment, talent attraction, and something called “Catalytic Capital.” But here’s the cool part – it wasn’t just talk. These folks were serious about finding real, workable solutions. Each session tackled these challenges head-on, with experts and innovators sharing insights and proposing actionable ideas that could make a real difference on the ground.
One of the things that got me excited was this focus on “market-led solutions.” Basically, instead of just throwing aid money at problems, they’re looking at ways to create sustainable businesses that can solve social issues. It’s like killing two birds with one stone – helping people while also creating jobs and economic growth.
The Energy of the Deal Room
They even had this thing called a Deal Room. Imagine a speed-dating event, but instead of looking for love, people were matching up great ideas with investors ready to fund them. The energy in that room was electric!
Throughout the summit, there was this underlying theme of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Seventeen big goals to make the world a better place by 2030. Ambitious? You bet. But after seeing the brainpower and determination at ASIS, I’m starting to think it might just be possible.
Reflections and Future Prospects
As the summit wrapped up on July 26th, I left with mixed feelings. On one hand, the challenges facing Africa are huge. But on the other hand, seeing so many smart, dedicated people working together gave me hope. Real hope, not just the fluffy kind.
ASIS 2024 wasn’t just a conference. It felt more like the start of a movement. A movement to reimagine what progress looks like for Africa. We’re not just copying what worked elsewhere; we’re creating our own blueprint for success.
As I headed home, my mind was racing with new ideas and possibilities. ASIS showed me that when it comes to building a better Africa, we’re all in this together. And you know what? I think we might just pull it off.
Ready to take action for the progress of Africa? Kindly visit the Sterling One Foundation
