The Alternative Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to driving sustainable
development across Africa ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 Africa Social Impact
Summit (ASIS). Co-convened by the Sterling One Foundation and United Nations
Nigeria, ASIS serves as a vital platform for tackling Africa’s social challenges through
collaborative, market-driven solutions.
Set to take place from July 10-11 in Lagos, the summit will bring together
government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners to share
knowledge, discuss evidence-based insights, and create actionable plans aimed at
achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking recently at a press conference held at the United Nations House in Abuja,
Garba Mohammed, Executive Director, North, at The Alternative Bank, emphasised
the importance of collective action to address the continent’s most pressing
challenges.
“The theme of this year’s summit, ‘Scaling Action,’ speaks volumes. It reflects an
urgent and deliberate shift from rhetoric to results, from bold conversations to bold
execution,” Mohammed stated, while also stressing that the time for discussion is
over.
“Now is the moment for real, bold solutions to tackle issues such as poverty, food
insecurity, climate change, and inequality,” he continued.
Mohammed also highlighted the Bank’s alignment with the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 of the African Union, framing them not as
aspirational goals, but as actionable guides that shape the bank’s investments,
partnerships, and community initiatives. “At The Alternative Bank, we believe that
impact is the new bottom line,” he said.
“As a purpose-driven, ethically grounded, and specialized financial institution, we
have aligned our strategy and operations with the SDGs and Agenda 2063. These
are not just aspirational frameworks to us; they are action guides that shape how we
invest, how we collaborate, and how we serve.”
Since its inception, The Alternative Bank continues to champion sustainable
development through strategic interventions that empower youth, women, and
smallholder farmers. The Bank plays a leading role in transforming Africa’s food
systems, by enabling sustainable agricultural practices, providing financing, capacity-
building, and market access to smallholder farmers. Additionally, AltBank’s ACT
Youth Digital Empowerment Program equips thousands of young people with digital,
entrepreneurial, and life skills, positioning them as job creators and champions of
sustainable development. For women, the Bank’s initiatives, such as the Matazalla
Women’s Mobility Initiative, Althaven, and the Light Her Program, break barriers by
providing eco-friendly electric tricycles, capital, mentorship, and networks to women
entrepreneurs. These efforts align with the United Nations SDGs and the African
Union’s Agenda 2063, contributing to a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable
Africa.
With ASIS 2025 set to flag-off with a High-Level Roundtable on July 9, the summit
promises to be a pivotal moment for Africa’s development, bringing together global
leaders to forge solutions that will drive tangible, scalable impact. In addition to
developing new frameworks for sustainable development, the Summit will provide a
platform for impact investors to finance existing African solutions tackling issues on
climate change, circular economy, education, health, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and
Hygiene), renewable energy, and agriculture.
