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 specialised 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.
About The Alternative Bank
The Alternative Bank commenced its journey in January
2014 as a non-interest banking window in Sterling, with a vision to create a dynamic banking experience
that respects individuality and speaks the language of its customers/partners. In July 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria issued a
Banking License to The Alternative Bank, enabling it to operate as a
fully-fledged, standalone bank. Guided by its Advisory Committee of Experts
(ACE), The Alternative Bank ensures all its operations align with the ethics of
Non-Interest Banking. For more information, please visit www.altbank.ng.
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