An Initiative of the African CEO Council

The African Sustainable Development Fund (ASDF) is the flagship leadership and resource mobilization and grantmaking initiative of the African CEO Council. It is established to mobilize financial resources, strategic partnerships, leadership, and technical expertise from the private sector, development partners, philanthropic institutions, foundations, high-net-worth individuals, and African business leaders to support sustainable development initiatives across Africa.

The Fund is designed to become one of Africa's leading private-sector-led sustainable development financing mechanisms, supporting innovative, community-driven, and scalable projects that contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063, national development priorities, and climate resilience.

Recognising that governments alone cannot finance Africa's development ambitions, the African Sustainable Development Fund provides a platform through which corporate Africa, investors, philanthropists, and development partners can collectively invest in projects that improve lives, strengthen local economies, protect the environment, and create inclusive prosperity.

Vision

To become Africa's leading private-sector-driven sustainable development and grantmaking institution, empowering communities and transforming lives through strategic investments, innovation, and partnerships.

Mission

To mobilize financial resources, corporate philanthropy, strategic partnerships, and innovative financing mechanisms to support sustainable development projects that create measurable social, economic, and environmental impact across Africa.

Core Values

• Integrity 
• Transparency 
• Accountability 
• Sustainability 
• Equity and Inclusion 
• Innovation 
• Collaboration 
• Impact 
• Good Governance 
• Excellence 

Strategic Goal

To catalyse sustainable development across Africa by mobilising private sector resources and investing in high-impact initiatives that improve livelihoods, strengthen institutions, promote environmental sustainability, and accelerate inclusive economic growth.

Strategic Objectives

The African Sustainable Development Fund seeks to:

Resource Mobilisation

• Mobilise financial contributions from corporations, foundations, philanthropists, development partners, and high-net-worth individuals. 
• Develop innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable development. 
• Promote corporate philanthropy throughout Africa. 
• Encourage Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment. 
• Support corporate sustainability programmes. 
• Attract climate finance and blended finance. 

Grantmaking

• Provide competitive grants to eligible civil society organisations. 
• Support innovative community development projects. 
• Strengthen grassroots organisations. 
• Promote locally led development. 
• Scale high-impact interventions. 
• Encourage innovation and social entrepreneurship. 

Partnership Development

• Build strategic partnerships between business and civil society. 
• Strengthen collaboration with governments. 
• Promote South-South cooperation. 
• Foster regional partnerships. 
• Facilitate multi-sector collaboration. 

Knowledge and Capacity Development

• Strengthen NGO institutional capacity. 
• Improve project management. 
• Support monitoring and evaluation. 
• Promote evidence-based development. 
• Share best practices. 

The Fund will support projects in:

Poverty Reduction

Income generation, livelihoods, financial inclusion, community enterprise development, micro-enterprises.

Education

Schools, vocational education, digital skills, scholarships, STEM, literacy, girls' education.

Healthcare

Primary healthcare, maternal health, child health, nutrition, disease prevention, mental health, disability inclusion.

Agriculture

Food security, climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, agribusiness, agro-processing, farmer cooperatives.

Women's Economic Empowerment

Women's entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, leadership, gender equality.

Youth Development

Youth employment, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, leadership, skills development.

Climate Change

Climate adaptation, renewable energy, conservation, biodiversity, carbon reduction.

Water and Sanitation

Clean water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management.

Renewable Energy

Solar energy, mini-grids, clean cooking, rural electrification.

SME Development

Business incubation, enterprise development, innovation hubs.

Digital Inclusion

ICT, internet access, fintech, digital literacy.

Governance

Transparency, accountability, civic participation, institutional strengthening.

Peace and Social Cohesion

Conflict prevention, mediation, social inclusion.