Social entrepreneurs get access to deal- making

AFRICANS running impact- driven businesses targeted at solving key African challenges have received a boost following the announcement of a scale- up funding opportunity at the Africa Social Impact Summit ( ASIS) scheduled for July 14 in Abuja.

The platform, which will give 10 finalists a chance to pitch their solutions to a selected group of Africafocused investors, is in line with the summit’s goal of harnessing ideas and solutions capable of accelerating growth in Africa.

The summit is a two- day

event that brings together players from Africa's civil society, private sector and government to share ideas, learnings, plans and practical solutions to meet the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGS).

With a focus on climate action, education, health, agriculture, circular economy and women empowerment, the summit aims to provide opportunities for impact investors to scale market- led solutions, which have the potential for longterm impact.

Breaking down the deal room sessions, Etemore Glover, Projects Lead for

Impact Investors Foundation, the implementing partners, explained that the opportunity is targeted at businesses that have demonstrated the ability to effectively address some of the continent's challenges in a way that benefits everyone.

CEO of the Sterling One Foundation, the host organisation, Olapeju Ibekwe, said a better framework for sustainable financing is one of the key anticipated outcomes from the summit and that the deal room is a snapshot into how the framework will function.