15–16 October 2025 | Sandton Convention Centre | Johannesburg, South Africa
As global sustainability frameworks evolve and the demand for transparency and accountability grows, Africa finds itself at a critical juncture. The Sustainability and ESG Africa Conference & Expo 2025, taking place on 15–16 October at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, aims to put the continent’s priorities squarely on the global sustainability agenda.
With over 600 delegates expected, 35+ exhibitors, and participants from more than 20 African countries, the event promises to be more than a conference—it’s a call to action for the continent’s leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to define what Sustainability and ESG mean in an African context.
“This isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about navigating uncertainty with purpose and clarity,” says Wendy Poulton, Conference Chair. “The programme is designed to help organisations adapt with confidence, using tested tools, practical case studies, and real African stories.”
The theme for this year’s event— “Adapt, Innovate, Succeed – Sustainability in Changing Times”—reflects the urgency to move from conversation to implementation. Africa’s private and public sectors are being forced to adapt quickly to global shifts such as carbon taxes, new disclosure regulations, and investor demands for measurable Sustainability and ESG performance.
Sessions will explore how African businesses can respond meaningfully to these opportunities and pressures while advancing regional development goals. With the upcoming G20 Summit set to take place in South Africa, the timing couldn’t be more relevant. The conference will act as a platform for aligning local action with global sustainability trends, but on African terms.
What sets this event apart is its focus on practical application. Whether it’s improving Sustainability and ESG reporting, tracking impact in real terms, or unlocking sustainable finance, the agenda is geared toward helping organisations turn theory into operational reality. Industry-specific sessions will highlight innovation across Agri processing/food and beverages, energy and mining, logistics, and manufacturing—areas central to Africa’s economic future.
For small businesses, often left out of the ESG conversation, a dedicated SMME track on Day 2 will showcase how smaller enterprises are making real progress—and where they still need support.
The conference is also looking to the future and believes in celebrating innovation with initiatives like The Student Innovation Challenge, which invites students across Africa to submit solutions to real-world sustainability challenges and sustainability initaitves and progress across Africa are celebrated through the Beyond Awards event.
Supporting the lead-up to the main conference event, a series of 12 networking events open to all across the continent and globally, will foster dialogue, build new partnerships, and identify pressing issues in advance. These engagements make the conference not just a two-day gathering, but part of a collaborative and networked Community of Pactice to embed Sustainability and ESG in African boardrooms and beyond.
For African Insider readers—many of whom are already thinking about how to future-proof their organisations—this event represents a rare opportunity to engage directly with the people, tools, and insights shaping Africa’s Sustainability and ESG future.
Whether you’re a C-suite executive, an ESG strategist, a government leader, an investor, or an emerging entrepreneur, Sustainability and ESG Africa 2025 offers a chance to learn, connect, and lead.
More information and registration details are available at www.esgafricaconference.com
