What Sterling One Foundation does

Sterling One Foundation is a Lagos-based non-profit foundation established to address poverty and systemic development challenges across Nigeria and Africa. The organization operates across five thematic areas — health, education and youth development, climate action, gender equality, and food security — aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with gender mainstreamed as a cross-cutting priority. Its flagship initiative is the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS), co-convened with the United Nations in Nigeria since 2022, which has attracted over 10,000 registrants from 61 countries and mobilized more than $1 billion in investments and partnerships.

The foundation delivers a portfolio of programs including Giving.ng (a free crowdfunding platform with grant components for African NGOs), the Mamabase maternal health program (7,367 safe births in 2024), E-CLAP early childhood learning, the Beach Adoption & Cleanup Program, the Women Investment Readiness Accelerator (WIRA), and a new Sterling WASH Business Loan launched in partnership with Water.org and Sterling Bank in late 2025. Direct programs run across multiple Nigerian states (Lagos, Kano, Borno, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe) and partner-driven continental initiatives extend reach through the African Union Commission.

Funding is generated through programmatic partnerships, corporate social responsibility contributions from entities such as Sterling Bank, Coca-Cola Foundation, and MTN Foundation, UN agency co-investment, bilateral donor support (GIZ, AFD, USAID), and individual donations via Giving.ng. The foundation operates with a small core staff and a network of 60+ institutional partners, with governance provided by a Board of Trustees led by CEO Olapeju Ibekwe.

Name

Sterling One Foundation

Legal name

Sterling One Foundation

Website

https://onefoundation.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sterling One Foundation is a Lagos-based non-profit foundation delivering health, education, climate, gender equality, and food security programs across Nigeria and Africa through direct implementation, grants, and the flagship Africa Social Impact Summit convened with the United Nations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Impact Foundation and Philanthropy Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB), Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA)

Keywords

• Social impact programs
• NGO capacity building
• Crowdfunding platform
• Maternal health programs
• Climate action initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Funding: The foundation operates primarily through donations and partnerships with corporate entities, development institutions, and government agencies. Revenue is generated through programmatic partnerships, grants, and corporate social responsibility contributions from organizations like Sterling Bank, Coca-Cola Foundation, and other partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sterling One Foundation is a Nigerian non-profit foundation that drives social impact across Nigeria and Africa through programs in health, education, climate action, gender equality, and food security. Its core offerings include the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) convening platform co-founded with the UN, Giving.ng (Africa's first free crowdfunding platform with a grants component), and direct program implementation such as Mamabase maternal health, E-CLAP early childhood learning, and the Beach Adoption & Cleanup Program, all delivered at no cost to beneficiaries and funded through donations and institutional partnerships.

Product overview

Sterling One Foundation is a non-profit organization operating a portfolio of social impact programs rather than a unified software product. The Foundation's offerings are organized across three thematic pillars: Health Programs (including maternal health, primary healthcare systems, WASH, health workers fund, and gender equality), Education & Youth Development (including early childhood learning, STEM programs, skills development, and youth empowerment initiatives), and Climate Action & Food Security (including beach cleanup, waste management, agroforestry, and sustainable agriculture). Key platforms include the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) - the Foundation's flagship annual convening for advancing sustainable development across Africa; Giving.ng - Africa's first free crowdfunding platform; Sterling CARES - free banking for NGOs; and the Sterling WASH Business Loan - a financing product for water and sanitation entrepreneurs. The Foundation also operates capacity-building programs for NGOs (NGO Development Series), ESG webinar series, and various grant-making initiatives. All programs are delivered through strategic partnerships across public, private, and civil society sectors, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Giving.ng: Africa's first free crowdfunding platform that also provides grants to projects.
• Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS)
• Sterling CARES
• NGO Development Series
• WIRA (Women Investment Readiness Accelerator)
• Mamabase
• E-CLAP (Early Child Learning Advancement Project)
• Beach Adoption Program
• Sterling WASH Business Loan
• Health Workers Fund

Products and services

• Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) A pan-African convening initiative co-convened by the United Nations in Nigeria and Sterling One Foundation, aimed at fostering market-led solutions to the continent's development challenges and serving as a catalytic platform for co-creating scalable African-led solutions anchored in the SDGs.
• Giving.ng Africa's first free crowdfunding platform that enables partnerships for creating lasting social impact, reducing poverty, and building a better world; the only crowdfunding platform in Africa that also provides grants to projects on the platform.
• Sterling CARES A free banking solution launched in partnership with the Nigeria Network of NGOs and Sterling Bank, enabling non-profits to handle banking needs with no transaction fees, no minimum account balance, and digital services for anywhere, anytime transactions.
• NGO Development Series Capacity Building Programme (CBP) catering to the structural needs of NGOs and CSOs by providing insights and tips on trends and key operational aspects of the development space, supporting social impact projects across health, education, food security, climate action, and gender equality.
• ESG Webinar Series A strategic initiative designed to enhance awareness, build capacity, and promote the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles across businesses, government agencies, and organizations in Nigeria and beyond.
• Sterling WASH Business Loan A catalytic financing solution launched in partnership with Water.org and Sterling Bank that empowers WASH businesses and service providers to scale sustainable access to safe water and sanitation across Nigeria, supporting borehole construction, water storage and purification systems, sanitation facilities, and community water systems.
• Great Nigeria Cleanup A nationwide environmental cleanup movement spanning 180+ locations across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, and other cities; a community-driven initiative to clean streets, markets, and beaches while changing habits, restoring pride, and building a culture of environmental responsibility.
• Health Workers Fund A fund established in 2020 to provide hazard allowances for frontline health workers caring for COVID-19 patients at isolation centers; 154 health workers benefited across Nigeria's 6 geopolitical zones, each receiving N100,000 monthly over a minimum of 3 months.
• Women Investment Readiness Accelerator (WIRA) A program launched to address systemic challenges limiting women-owned enterprises in Nigeria, including restricted access to finance, limited structured mentorship, and insufficient market entry support; provides capacity-building, mentorship, and hands-on business development support for women entrepreneurs.
• Mamabase Program A maternal health program launched in partnership with the Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, providing critical healthcare services, antenatal care, and education to expectant mothers in underserved communities; recorded 7,367 safe births in 2024.
• Early Child Learning Advancement Project (E-CLAP) An education initiative that improved foundational literacy and numeracy skills for over 2,000 children in underserved communities across Kano, Lagos, Borno, and Oyo states, combining modern teaching tools with community involvement to enhance learning outcomes.
• Beach Adoption & Cleanup Program A climate initiative focused on waste recovery and marine pollution reduction; collects solid waste and recyclables from adopted beaches while empowering youths and women in coastal communities for proper waste management; has collected over 7,800 kg of solid waste and 4,900 kg of recyclables.
• SOF Agroforestry for Climate Action Project (SOF-SACAP) An agroforestry project designed to increase ecosystem resilience, minimize climate change effects, counteract soil and biodiversity loss, and improve human well-being; involves collecting seeds, growing seedlings, planting trees, and growing food crops via sustainable agroforestry.
• Agriculture Support Program for Rural Women Farmers A food security initiative that equips women with resources and technical training to boost agricultural yields, income, and food security; focuses on empowering rural women farmers to scale their agribusinesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1 billion mobilized in investments and partnerships since 2022
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.

• Water.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Global nonprofit partner for the Sterling WASH Business Loan initiative. Water.org provides technical expertise and global experience in water and sanitation financing to enable affordable financing for WASH entrepreneurs and households.
• Sterling BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Parent company and key strategic partner providing banking infrastructure and co-investment in social impact programs including WASH financing, climate action, and ASIS convening.
• Water.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Partnership for Sterling WASH Business Loan providing accessible financing for water and sanitation projects in Nigeria.
• Development Bank of NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025Implementing partner for the Women Investment Readiness Accelerator (WIRA) program supporting women entrepreneurs. DBN provides funding and programmatic support for accelerator cycles helping women-led MSMEs access financing and mentorship.
• African Union CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Continental body partner for ASIS and WYFEI 2030 Initiative on women and youth financial inclusion. The AU and SOF collaborate on mobilizing private sector capital for women's economic empowerment across Africa.
• GIZ (German Development Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Development partner supporting the WYFEI 2030 Initiative and ASIS. GIZ provides funding and technical expertise for climate policy integration and women/youth economic empowerment programs.
• United Nations in NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025Co-conveners of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS). The UN and Sterling One Foundation partner on the flagship summit and broader SDG advocacy. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has participated in ASIS events, emphasizing the importance of partnerships for sustainable development.
• Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic PlanningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner co-convening ASIS and supporting policy dialogues on sustainable development and financing for development in Nigeria.
• Lagos State GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner for ASIS hosting and sub-national engagement. Governor Sanwo-Olu has actively participated in ASIS events and championed the THEMES PLUS agenda.
• MicrosoftsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing digital infrastructure and support for foundation programs and ASIS technology needs.
• British CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK cultural relations organization partner supporting education and skills development programs.
• UNDP NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Development Programme partner for SDG implementation and development programming.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN children's agency partner introducing the EmpowerHer Africa initiative through WYFEI 2030 for adolescent girls and young women.
• Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThink tank partner supporting economic policy dialogues and ASIS programming.
• CcHUBsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology hub partner supporting innovation and startup ecosystem engagement.
• Northeast Development Commission (NEDC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment commission partner for education programs in Northeast Nigeria including ASSEP.
• SunbethsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for nationwide environmental cleanup and climate action initiatives.
• Seplat EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company partner for ASIS and sustainable energy initiatives.
• Plan InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChild rights organization partner for youth development programs.
• ABC HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth-focused organization partner for healthcare programming at ASIS.
• Impact Investors FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting impact investment ecosystem development.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dangote Foundation: Nigerian philanthropy with focus on health, education, and economic empowerment. Closely comparable as a domestic Nigerian grantmaking foundation with similar thematic pillars and corporate-parent governance overlap.
• Mo Ibrahim Foundation: African-focused foundation addressing governance, leadership, and youth employment. Comparable as a continental-scope foundation driving policy dialogues and convening leaders across Africa.
• African Women's Development Fund: Pan-African grantmaking foundation specifically for women's rights organizations. Directly comparable given SOF's gender-lens cross-cutting programming and continental grantmaking footprint.
• Tony Elumelu Foundation: Pan-African philanthropy focused on entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and youth development across Africa. Most directly comparable to SOF given Nigerian origin, broad thematic scope, and convening of African development actors.

Emerging players

• WaterAid: International NGO focused on WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) in Africa and globally. Comparable as a thematic partner/peer given SOF's WASH financing work and shared target beneficiaries (underserved communities, rural populations).

Broad incumbents

• Ford Foundation: Global social justice foundation with significant Africa programming across inequality, gender, and civic space. Comparable as a grantmaking institution with multi-thematic African footprint and convening role.
• Rockefeller Foundation: Global foundation with health, food security, and climate programming in Africa. Comparable as a multi-thematic grantmaker with catalytic financing products (similar to SOF's WASH loan model).
• Mastercard Foundation: Large-scale African-focused foundation running programs in education, youth employment, and financial inclusion. Comparable as a grantmaking institution operating at continental scale with similar thematic priorities (youth, education, inclusion).
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Global foundation with significant African health, gender equality, and development programming. Comparable as a high-leverage grantmaker partnering with African institutions and convening development capital.

Regional players

• Tiwa Savage Foundation / Nigerian philanthropic foundations (e.g., Ebuka Obi-led foundations): Other Nigerian philanthropic institutions. Comparable as regional peers operating under similar Nigerian regulatory and donor landscape with similar cross-cutting social impact mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SterlingOneFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/sterlingonefoundation
• Xx.com/onefoundationng

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sterling One Foundation