African Business Sustainability Seminar

The African Business Sustainability Seminar 2026 is conceived as a premium executive-development programme for business leaders and professionals responsible for strategy, governance, risk, finance, operations, sustainability and corporate performance. It will combine expert presentations, practical workshops, moderated discussions, African case studies and peer exchange.

Unlike a broad public conference, the seminar will be deliberately limited to 50-100 paying participants. This controlled size will support meaningful interaction, hands-on learning and relationship-building among participants, facilitators and partners. The programme will be convened by the African CEO Council in Lagos, Nigeria, on Thursday and Friday, 19-20 November 2026.

Programme Objectives

The principal objective is to strengthen the capacity of African business leaders and professionals to integrate sustainability into strategy, governance, operations and investment decisions. Specifically, the seminar will:

• Clarify the strategic and commercial case for business sustainability in Africa.
• Help organisations identify material environmental, social, governance and operational risks.
• Equip participants with practical frameworks for sustainability strategy, implementation and reporting.
• Improve understanding of sustainable finance, climate finance and investor expectations.
• Promote responsible leadership, ethical governance and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Show how energy efficiency, circularity, innovation and responsible supply chains can improve performance.
• Provide a platform for peer learning, partnerships and cross-sector collaboration.
• Support each participant in developing a concise 90-day organisational sustainability action plan.

Who Should Participate?

The seminar is designed for decision-makers and professionals who influence corporate strategy, investment, governance, risk and operational performance, including:

• Chief executive officers, managing directors, executive directors and business owners.
• Board members and company secretaries.
• Chief sustainability, strategy, risk, finance, operations and investment officers.
• Heads of ESG, sustainability, corporate affairs, compliance and internal audit.
• Senior managers responsible for energy, procurement, supply chains, human resources and community relations.
• Bankers, insurers, investors, fund managers and development-finance professionals.
• Government, regulatory and public-enterprise leaders whose work affects business sustainability.
• Professional-services advisers, consultants, lawyers, accountants, engineers and executive educators.
• Leaders of business associations, chambers of commerce and development organisations.
• Participants should preferably hold senior decision-making, advisory or implementation responsibilities. Organisations are encouraged to nominate cross-functional teams so that strategic and operational perspectives are represented.

Why Participate?

• Move beyond general sustainability awareness to practical organisational action.
•  Understand how sustainability affects profitability, financing, risk, reputation and market access.
• Benchmark organisational practices against emerging expectations and peer experience.
• Learn directly from experienced African and international practitioners.
• Identify practical opportunities for cost savings, innovation and stronger stakeholder relationships.
• Build relationships with executives, investors, advisers, regulators and potential partners.
• Return to the organisation with tools, reference materials and a 90-day action plan.

Participation Benefits

• Admission to all seminar sessions across both days.
• Digital seminar workbook, selected tools, templates and presentation materials.
• Tea breaks and lunch on both days.
• Certificate of participation issued by the African CEO Council.
• Access to structured networking and participant introductions, subject to consent.
• Post-seminar access to a digital resource pack and one virtual implementation check-in.
• Priority information on future African CEO Council sustainability programmes.