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Welcome to the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo
Africa’s Premier Gathering for Sustainability & ESG Leaders
Save the Date: 6–7 October 2027 | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
The Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo brings together business leaders, sustainability professionals, investors, policymakers and innovators to explore the business case for sustainability and accelerate meaningful change across Africa.
As sustainability moves beyond compliance and reporting, organisations face a critical challenge: translating ambition into measurable business performance. From strengthening resilience and unlocking investment to building responsible value chains and creating long-term enterprise value, sustainability is increasingly central to how successful businesses operate and grow.
The question is no longer whether sustainability matters. It is how organisations can make it work for business, people and the planet.
Our conference provides a platform for practical insights, strategic conversations and meaningful connections. Through expert-led discussions, interactive workshops, sector-focused breakaway sessions and a dedicated exhibition, delegates discover the ideas, technologies and partnerships needed to move from strategy to implementation.
The experience also features the Beyond Awards, celebrating sustainability leadership and impact, and the Student Innovation Competition, showcasing the next generation of African changemakers.
Built by Africa, for Africa, the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo is where the continent’s sustainability community comes together to exchange knowledge, challenge conventional thinking and shape a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy.
Join us on 6–7 October 2027 as we turn sustainability ambition into business value and lasting impact.
2026 Statistics
A Powerful Gathering. A Growing Movement. A Lasting Impact.
The Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo 2026 brought together some of the brightest minds, influential voices and forward-thinking organisations shaping the future of sustainability across Africa. Over two dynamic days, 722 attendees representing 608 companies across 66 industry sectors came together to exchange ideas, challenge conventional thinking and explore how sustainability can drive meaningful business value.
With 100 industry speakers contributing expertise, insights and real-world perspectives, and 306 exhibition visitors exploring innovative solutions, technologies and opportunities, the event created a powerful platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and commercial connection. From executive-level conversations and practical industry insights to groundbreaking innovations and partnerships, the conference demonstrated that sustainability is no longer simply an ambition — it is a strategic business imperative.
These numbers represent more than attendance. They reflect a growing community of leaders, businesses and innovators committed to turning sustainability strategy into action, strengthening resilience and building a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable African economy.
Built by Africa, for Africa, the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo is where sustainability leadership meets business opportunity — and where the conversations shaping tomorrow begin today.
What Sets This Event Apart
What common challenges does this conference help you solve?
And the Winner Is… Ncedi Mayekiso!
A conference registration unlocked an incredible opportunity for Ncedi Mayekiso, the winner of our executive education course giveaway worth R50,000, generously sponsored by edX Enterprise!
As part of the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo 2026, delegates had the opportunity to win more than two days of powerful insights, meaningful connections and practical sustainability solutions. This exciting prize takes that value even further, giving Ncedi the opportunity to invest in professional development and expand their knowledge through executive education.
Congratulations, Ncedi! We look forward to seeing the impact this opportunity will make in your professional journey.
A huge thank you to edX Enterprise for supporting professional development and helping us create opportunities that extend beyond the conference floor.
Beyond the Flagship Conference
Celebrating Excellence, Innovation and Impact
The Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo extends its impact beyond the annual flagship event by recognising the people, organisations and emerging innovators driving meaningful change across Africa.
Through the Beyond Awards and Student Innovation Competition, we celebrate outstanding sustainability leadership, innovative solutions and forward-thinking initiatives that are shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.
From organisations demonstrating excellence in ESG performance to young innovators challenging conventional thinking and developing solutions to real-world sustainability challenges, these initiatives shine a spotlight on the ideas, achievements and individuals moving Africa forward.
By celebrating these achievements and sharing the stories behind them, we aim to inspire action, encourage collaboration and empower the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Beyond Awards
The Beyond Awards 2026 celebrated the organisations, projects and individuals driving sustainability and ESG excellence across Africa. The awards recognised those who turned ambition into action, demonstrated outstanding leadership and delivered meaningful impact.
From large-scale sustainability initiatives to pioneering projects and impactful communications strategies, this year’s winners demonstrated the power of innovation, collaboration and purposeful action in advancing a more sustainable future for Africa.
Congratulations to our 2026 Beyond Awards winners for their achievements, leadership and commitment to creating lasting positive change across the continent.
The winners are as follow:
Beyond Awards Large Scale Organisation – Discovery
Beyond Awards Small Scale Organisation – Rise International
Beyond African Trailblazer – Tiekie Barnard (Shared Value Africa)
Beyond Communication Award – KFC
Student Innovation Awards
Inspiring Innovation. Rethinking Impact. Redefining Opportunity.
Sponsored by Naspers and DP World, the 2026 Student Innovation Competition celebrated the creativity, ambition and ingenuity of young innovators developing solutions to real-world sustainability challenges across Africa.
This year’s competition showcased the power of fresh thinking to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. We were honoured to recognise three outstanding initiatives that demonstrate how innovation can create meaningful and lasting impact.
Overall Winner: Martha Lukas | Namibia
Initiative: E-Waste to E-Guard
Congratulations to Martha Lukas from Namibia, our 2026 Student Innovation Competition winner, who received the R50,000 first prize.
Martha’s initiative, E-Waste to E-Guard, stood out for its innovative approach to addressing prohibited poaching. We were honoured to welcome Martha to the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo, where Ronell Erasmus presented her with the winning prize of R50,000.
Martha’s achievement is a wonderful example of the potential of young African innovators to challenge conventional thinking and develop solutions that address critical environmental and sustainability challenges.
Congratulations, Martha! We look forward to seeing your initiative grow and make a difference.
Runner-Up: Ariel Boro | Burkina Faso
Initiative: Trace ID
Our congratulations also go to Ariel Boro from Burkina Faso, who received the runner-up award for his initiative, Trace ID.
Although Ariel was unable to join us at the conference, his achievement deserves to be celebrated. His initiative reflects the spirit of innovation and determination that the Student Innovation Competition seeks to encourage.
We wish Ariel every success as he continues developing his initiative and pursuing opportunities to create positive change.
Health Innovation Prize Winner: Mercilina Arayo | Uganda
Initiative: NutriTrack Kaberamaido
In 2026, we were proud to introduce a special Health Innovation Prize, judged by Dis-Chem, recognising the important connection between health, sustainability and inclusive development.
Congratulations to Mercilina Arayo from Uganda, whose initiative, NutriTrack Kaberamaido, was selected as this year’s Health Innovation Prize winner.
Although Mercilina was unable to attend the conference in person, we are delighted to recognise her achievement and the promise of her innovation. We wish her every success as she continues pursuing her vision and working towards meaningful impact in her community.
Celebrating Africa’s Next Generation of Changemakers
The Student Innovation Competition is more than a platform for recognising outstanding ideas. It is an investment in the next generation of African leaders, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Martha, Ariel and Mercilina. We also thank Naspers and DP World for sponsoring the competition, and Dis-Chem for supporting and judging the inaugural Health Innovation Prize.
Your ideas, ambition and commitment remind us that the future of sustainability is shaped by those willing to think differently, challenge the status quo and turn possibilities into action.
Congratulations once again to our 2026 winners! We cannot wait to see what you achieve next.
OUR TESTIMONIALS
What our Visitors Say
Hear from those who have experienced firsthand the power of collaboration, innovation, and impactful solutions in driving sustainability across Africa. Their stories showcase the tangible change we're making together.
Our 2026 Sponsors & Partners
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Gold Sponsors
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Student Innovation Sponsors
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RECENT BLOG
The Latest Sustainability & ESG News
Welcome to Our News & Blog Hub!
Stay informed and engaged with our interactive blog and news page. Here, we share daily insights, industry updates, and thought leadership on sustainability and ESG topics. Join the conversation—comment, share, and explore the latest developments shaping our sector.