ABOUT
Some background
As the global community strives to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the critical role of technology as a catalyst for sustainable development has become increasingly evident. Among these goals, Sustainable Development Goal 17 “Partnerships for the Goals” is vital, emphasizing the need for inclusive and cross-sector collaborations to address global challenges effectively. In this context, technology stands out as a powerful enabler that can significantly accelerate progress towards these goals.
Technology’s role in advancing the SDGs is multi-faceted. For instance, artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to predict and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, potentially saving lives and reducing economic losses. In Nigeria, where floods and other natural disasters have increasingly impacted communities, AI-driven early warning systems could play a critical role in disaster preparedness and response (ReliefWeb, 2021). Similarly, blockchain technology offers significant potential for enhancing transparency and accountability in various sectors, including supply chain management, which is crucial for ensuring that resources reach the communities most in need (World Economic Forum, 2021).
Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, is uniquely positioned to lead the continent in leveraging technology to achieve the SDGs. The Nigerian tech ecosystem has shown remarkable growth, with Lagos emerging as a leading tech hub in Africa. In 2021, Nigerian startups raised over $1.7 billion in venture capital funding, demonstrating the vibrant and rapidly expanding tech landscape (TechCrunch, 2022). However, for this growth to translate into meaningful social impact, there must be a concerted effort to integrate technology into the broader framework of sustainable development.
Despite these advances, challenges persist. For example, Nigeria ranks 142nd out of 193 countries in the UN E-Government Development Index, indicating significant room for improvement in digital governance (UN E-Government Survey, 2022). Furthermore, the country faces considerable challenges in education, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors that are crucial in achieving the SDGs. Bridging these gaps requires innovative, tech-driven solutions that are scalable and sustainable.
As the 2030 deadline approaches, the urgency to accelerate progress towards the SDGs intensifies. Leveraging technology in innovative ways and fostering partnerships across sectors will be key to achieving these ambitious goals. The focus on technology-driven solutions, combined with strategic partnerships, can create pathways for inclusive and sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind.
ABOUT #sitsUMMIT
The Social Impact Tech Summit (SITSummit) emerges at a pivotal moment in the global efforts towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. As the world faces increasingly complex social, economic, and environmental challenges, the need for innovative, scalable solutions has never been more urgent. Technology, with its vast potential to drive transformative change, is at the heart of these solutions. The inaugural SITSummit, set to take place on January 24th, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, is designed to be a convergence point for thought leaders, innovators, and practitioners who are committed to harnessing the power of technology to create a more sustainable and equitable future.
At its core, SITSummit is about exploring and amplifying the role of technology in advancing the SDGs, with a particular focus on Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. SDG 17 recognizes that the global challenges we face today, ranging from poverty and inequality to climate change and health crises are too vast and interconnected to be addressed by any single entity. Instead, achieving the SDGs requires robust, multi-stakeholder partnerships that bring together governments, the private sector, civil society, and academia. Within this framework, technology serves as both an enabler and a connector, facilitating collaboration and innovation across sectors and borders.
The summit is grounded in the understanding that while technology holds immense promise, it must be intentionally leveraged to address the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. In regions like Africa, where digital transformation is rapidly unfolding, the potential for technology to drive social impact is significant. Yet, this potential can only be realized if technological advancements are accessible, inclusive, and aligned with the broader goals of sustainable development. SITSummit seeks to bridge the gap between technological innovation and social impact, ensuring that the benefits of the digital revolution reach those who need them most.
SITSummit aims to address these challenges by fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among a diverse group of stakeholders. Delegates from across Nigeria and the broader African continent will come together to discuss how technology can be effectively utilized to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. The summit will provide a platform for exploring how digital tools, data-driven decision-making, and innovative technologies can be integrated into the strategies and operations of social impact organizations, enhancing their capacity to drive sustainable development.
OUR GOAL
The primary goal of the Social Impact Tech Summit (SITSummit) is to harness the power of technology to accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships across the social impact sector. SITSummit aims to empower delegates with the knowledge, tools, and networks necessary to leverage technology effectively in addressing the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria, Africa, and the global community.
OBJECTIVES
Encourage social impact organizations, professionals, and enthusiasts to adopt and integrate cutting-edge technologies into their strategies and operations, enhancing their ability to achieve the SDGs more effectively and efficiently.
Highlight the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable development, encouraging deeper collaboration between the public sector and private industry to scale impactful tech-driven solutions.
Highlight and demonstrate innovative technologies and solutions that are making significant contributions to the achievement of the SDGs, particularly those developed by local and regional innovators in Nigeria and Africa.
Advocate for the responsible and ethical use of technology, ensuring that digital advancements contribute to social equity and inclusivity, particularly in marginalized and underserved communities.
About coappt
Coappt is a social impact focused technology and digital media company established to empower and connect professionals, organizations and enthusiasts dedicated to creating positive social change. At the intersection of social impact and technology, Coappt provides a comprehensive ecosystem where individuals and entities in the non-profit, philanthropy, impact investing, social entrepreneurship, and related sectors can collaborate, access valuable resources, and amplify their impact.
Our Vision
To make it easier to achieve social impact.
We envision a world where every individual, irrespective of their background or resources, can seamlessly channel their passion, skills, and efforts towards creating meaningful change.
Our Mission
To connect social impact professionals, organizations and enthusiasts to tools, resources and community necessary to succeed.