The second edition of the Africa Sustainability Forum, organised by Africa Interviews on Tuesday, September 16 in Lagos, Nigeria, convened industry leaders, policymakers, and ESG practitioners to reframe the global ESG narrative through an African lens. Themed “Beyond Compliance: Making ESG Work for African Realities,” the Forum challenged participants not just to adopt the frameworks, but to own and localise them as tools for action.
This year’s conversations built on the success of the inaugural edition, held on June 3, 2024, themed “Leading Sustainability in Africa: Empowering Nigeria’s Green Future.” That landmark event featured trailblazers such as Deoye Ojuroye, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at Providus Bank; Lame Verre, Co-founder and Co-chair of Lean in Equity and Sustainability; Oladapo Filani, CEO of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited; Ejiro Gray, Director-Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group; and Chioma Afe, Director of External Affairs and Social Performance at Seplat Energy. The first Forum brought together stakeholders across finance, governance, energy, and gender equity in charting a greener Nigeria, setting the tone for future dialogues.
The 2025 Forum opened with a compelling screening of environmental documentaries produced by Multichoice, spotlighting the escalating threat of plastic pollution to marine life. The films highlighted how improper waste disposal is endangering sea turtles—five of the world’s seven species are found in African waters—many of which mistake plastic for food, often with fatal consequences. The documentaries also underscored the human cost of environmental degradation, from polluted coastlines to contaminated water sources, highlighting the urgent need to embrace the “3Rs”: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Welcoming participants, Sam Umukoro, Founder and Editorial Director of Africa Interviews, emphasized that this year’s theme “is not just a conversation – for us, it is beyond that. It is a call to action…we must translate ESG into practical solutions that address our reality in the continent.”
Returning as keynote speaker, Lamé Verre delivered her characteristic blend of authenticity and strategic clarity. She reminded participants that. “Africa often finds itself at a crossroads in the ESG conversation. But the truth is, Africans don’t need to learn ESG—we live it.” Her message was clear: African nations must define ESG genuinely, through the lens of their own circumstances, rather than adopt foreign templates to please investors. “We must be authentic to our challenges,” she added.
Her breakdown of ESG provided a transformative perspective: Environment – not just about carbon credits, but about climate justice; Social – the heart of Africa’s ESG value, and Governance – the framework that builds trust and ensures accountability.
“ESG must be a compass—not a checklist. As African leaders, we have the responsibility to set the tone,” Verre emphasised, urging leaders to align ESG values with long-term strategic goals rooted in the African context.
The panel session, anchored by Sam Umukoro, built on the keynote’s insights, showcasing practical examples of how ESG can drive inclusive growth and innovation. Hon. Olatunbosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, highlighted government interventions for businesses through enabling policies and incentives that support sustainable development.
Ejiro Gray, a leading governance and ESG expert, returned with another bold challenge: “We must rethink waste as an economic driver, ESG as a risk management tool…and interpret ESG in light of our African context, embedded in core strategies.”
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, recycling pioneer and public service leader, called for urgent action to protect Africa’s natural ecosystems and unlock the economic potential of green innovation.
Frank Edozie, Team Leader at the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, underscored the need for power supply. “We must grow our power supply a hundredfold to meet demand. Solar or water alone cannot achieve this. We’re lucky to have gas. So, let’s use it responsibly, upgrade our single turbines, and balance with green practices. The real goal is net zero, not absolute zero. If twice as many people in Nigeria today had access to power, productivity would significantly increase. Why is that not the goal of decision-makers – to make energy accessible?”
The panel highlighted the challenge of balancing immediate development needs with long-term sustainability. Yet, the consensus was clear: Africa must design actionable, context-specific ESG strategies that resonate with its people and ambitions.
In closing the session, Umukoro appreciated the significant contributions from the panelists. “As they say, you learn to unlearn and relearn. Today has changed my worldview on ESG and its impact on governance and business,” he stated.
Also, in her closing remarks, Wura Alake, one of the co-founders of Africa Interviews, expressed heartfelt appreciation to all sponsors, guests, and participants, acknowledging their role in making the Forum a success. She said, “As we conclude this year’s Forum, I would like to thank you for the energy and the ideas you have brought into the room. We set out to explore how African businesses can move beyond compliance and make ESG a driver of real value. This Forum has shown that it’s not only possible – it’s necessary.
“The challenge is now simple: let’s turn the insights we’ve gained today into action. Let us take them back into our boardrooms, our policies, to our policymakers and communities, and make ESG a lived practice that strengthens our businesses and continent. On behalf of the entire Africa Interviews team, I would like to say a big thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can ensure that Africa leads—not from behind, but from the front.”
Networking sessions followed, enabling attendees to share experiences, initiate collaborations, and map new strategies for sustainability leadership.
The Africa Sustainability Forum 2nd Edition was more than a continuation—it was an evolution. Building on the foundation laid in the first edition, the Forum expanded the dialogue, sharpened the focus, and deepened the call to action. By rooting global frameworks in local contexts and capacities, Africa can move beyond compliance and into a new era of sustainability leadership.
Ultimately, the message was clear: now is the time to stop ticking boxes and start changing systems. The hope is that these conversations lead to partnerships—not just pledges, and that the sparks from this Forum ignite real collaborations and actions that will drive ESG forward in ways that are uniquely African.
