The organizers of the Africa Social Impact Summit, ASIS, have announced the establishment of the Africa Social Impact Network, ASIN, a new pan-African platform aimed at turning development conversations into year-round action, partnerships and investment.
The announcement was made following the successful conclusion of the 5th Africa Social Impact Summit, ASIS 2026, held in Lagos under the theme, “Financing for Development: Building Resilience and Transforming Emerging Economies.”
The new network is designed to extend the impact of the annual summit by mobilizing partnerships, financing, knowledge and collective action to address Africa’s development challenges.
The summit brought together governments, development institutions, businesses, philanthropies, investors, academics and civil society organizations to discuss practical solutions to pressing development issues across the continent.
According to the organizers, ASIN will provide a permanent platform for policy dialogue, investment mobilization, innovation, research, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships, while supporting initiatives that promote sustainable development and economic transformation in Africa.
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To provide strategic leadership for the network, an International Advisory Board has also been constituted. The board is chaired by Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka of Nigeria, with Dr. Charles Leyeka Lufumpa of Zambia as Vice Chair. Other members include Janvier Litse of Cameroon, Dr. Adam Elhiraika of Sudan, London-based broadcaster Martine Dennis, Abubakar Suleiman of Nigeria and Olapeju Ibekwe of Nigeria, who serves as Board Secretary.
Speaking on the establishment of ASIN, the Board Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, said the network would institutionalize collaboration among governments, businesses, philanthropies and development partners.
She said the platform would help move beyond dialogue towards implementation, investment mobilization and measurable impact across Africa.
Also speaking, the Board Chairman, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, said the network could become an important catalyst for partnerships needed to accelerate structural transformation, strengthen resilience and promote inclusive economic growth.
The Vice Chair, Dr. Charles Leyeka Lufumpa, added that stronger domestic resource mobilization, strategic partnerships and innovative financing would be increasingly important to Africa’s development.
ASIN will therefore complement the annual summit by supporting joint initiatives, policy engagement, investment facilitation, research and ecosystem coordination throughout the year.
The organizers said the initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring that partnerships and commitments generated at ASIS continue to produce practical results and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
