Sterling One Foundation has reinforced its commitment to advancing inclusive finance across Africa, as it participated in a high-level Presidential Breakfast Meeting held alongside the African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa.
In a statement released on Friday, the Foundation said the gathering focused on strengthening financing frameworks and renewing continental commitments toward gender equality and economic inclusion. The meeting brought together prominent African leaders and stakeholders to push forward practical strategies for financing women and youth-led development across the continent.
Among those present were the Ghanaian President, John Mahama; the Vice President of The Gambia, Muhammed Jallow; ministers; development finance institutions; private sector leaders; and other key continental stakeholders. Discussions centred on advancing actionable financing strategies that can drive real impact for women and young people across Africa.
Delivering a strong call to action, President Mahama stressed the urgency of investing in women as a core part of Africa’s development strategy. “Women are Africa’s most underutilised asset. If we are to accelerate Agenda 2063 and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals at scale, we must harness the full strength of our human capital,” he said.
He added, “Africa cannot grow by leaving its women behind. Gender equality must be embedded in macroeconomic planning, public finance systems, and peace and security frameworks; otherwise, our development will remain incomplete. Despite decades of declarations, Africa’s gender agenda remains chronically underfunded, and gender-responsive programmes are often the first casualties during fiscal constraints. That must change.”
Also speaking at the event, Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate at the African Union Commission, Ms Prudence Ngwenya, urged leaders and institutions to move beyond speeches and ensure real implementation of commitments.
She said, “More than half of Africa’s population is either a young person or a woman. As we reflect on our continental gender equality journey, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly upholding the commitments we have made? Are we consolidating institutional gains or regressing on hard-earned progress?
“And most importantly, what concrete actions will we take to ensure African women are empowered, productive, and central to the realisation of Agenda 2063? The time for reaffirmation must now translate into measurable financing and systemic change.”
As a strategic partner of the African Union through AU WYFEI, Sterling One Foundation said it continues to promote structured financing frameworks, blended finance partnerships, and catalytic platforms designed to unlock capital at scale for women- and youth-led enterprises.
Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, highlighted the economic importance of inclusion. “Financial inclusion is not a social intervention; it is an economic imperative. Africa’s transformation depends on how intentionally we finance women and youth at scale,” she said.
She added, “Through strategic partnerships, blended finance mechanisms, and investment readiness platforms, we are working to bridge the capital gap and unlock Africa’s $100bn Investment Agenda. Our commitment is clear: to move from conversations to capital, from pledges to structured partnerships, and from intent to measurable impact.”
The Foundation noted that through flagship initiatives such as the Women Investment Readiness Accelerator Programme and aligned investor engagement platforms, it is demonstrating that inclusive finance is both achievable and scalable, helping to reshape Africa’s economic landscape.
