From November 28 to 29, the leading voices championing sustainable development for Africa gathered at the 2024 edition of the annual International Sustainability Conference to share knowledge, forge partnerships and chart the course towards securing a sustainable future for Africa.
Hosted by the Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre (LBSSC) and supported by Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Shared Value Africa, Nestlé Nigeria PLC and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria, the virtual convening had over 600 participants, including directors and executive-level leaders of businesses, policymakers, entrepreneurs, managers and early career professionals, as well as thought leaders and academics in countries across four continents.
The conference commenced with the Opening Remarks from Prof. Chris Ogbechie, Dean, Lagos Business School (LBS), who emphasised the growing need for business leaders and professionals to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement sustainable practices in their organisations. “As we aim to build a prosperous Africa, our institutions must lead the way in embedding sustainability in their organisational frameworks, preparing the next generation of leaders to tackle global challenges,” Prof. Ogbechie affirmed.
Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), who delivered the keynote, emphasised the critical need for sustainable infrastructure financing. Zubairu highlighted the urgency of a unified effort among African governments, businesses, and financial institutions to address the continent’s infrastructure deficit and advance the sustainable development goals (SDGs). “Africa must take ownership of its future by investing in infrastructure that supports economic development while protecting our environment,” he stated.
The conference featured masterclasses, panel discussions and presentations, closing with a stirring Call to Action by Orevaoghene Atanya, Director of LBS Sustainability Centre, who rallied attendees to act with urgency. “We cannot wait any longer. Africa must lead the way in sustainability. The ideas and strategies discussed here must move beyond conversations — they must be implemented, scaled, and measured because our future depends on it.”
