Africa Business and Human Rights Forum
Africa Business and Human Rights Forum Convenes in Nairobi
The Africa Business and Human Rights Forum recently took place in Nairobi, bringing together over 400 business leaders, government representatives, civil society organizations, academia, and UN officials from across the continent.
Sharing Experiences and Strategies
The forum provided a platform for participants to share their experiences in embedding the UN Global Compact's (UNGC) Principles and UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) into their strategies and operations. Inspiring exchanges highlighted the importance of deliberate leadership and proactive approaches to human rights due diligence.
Key Takeaways
Business leaders emphasized the need to embed human rights in strategies for market access and reputation.
Regulatory changes, such as the new EU regulations, necessitate proactive compliance.
The UNGC's Accelerator Program on Business and Human Rights helped companies draft human rights policies and engage stakeholders.
Real-Life Examples
Business leaders shared practical examples:
- A Kenyan business leader stressed the importance of deliberate action: "We must embed human rights in our strategies."
- A Lesotho business leader noted the shift from defensive to proactive approaches due to new regulations.
- A UN Senior Officer highlighted reputational risks: "A business shut down recently in Africa due to sexual harassment."
- A Nigerian business leader credited the UNGC's Accelerator Program for enhancing human rights policies and stakeholder engagement.
Valued Partnerships
The forum was made possible through partnerships with the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the UNGC's Africa and New York teams.
Accelerating Progress
The Africa Business and Human Rights Forum demonstrated the commitment of African businesses to advancing human rights and responsible practices. By sharing experiences and strategies, participants paved the way for a more sustainable and equitable future.
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Unstoppable Africa 2025: Summary of Outcomes, Announcements & Forward Looking
Lusaka, Zambia –9 October 2025 – The 4th African Business and Human Rights Forum (ABRH) concluded today in Lusaka, Zambia, bringing together more than 600 participants, including business leaders, governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, national human rights institutions and international partners, to advance the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) across Africa. The Forum, held from 7 to 9 October under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Advancing Remedy, Reparations and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa,” was co-organized by several partners, including the African Union, the UN Global Compact, UNDP, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Human Rights (OHCHR), the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and UNICEF. This year’s Forum aligned with the African Union theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” Participants focused on concrete steps to strengthen remedy and reparations frameworks and to promote responsible business conduct in the context of Africa’s evolving economic and regulatory landscape. The Forum has become a critical platform for moving from policy to practice, accelerating implementation, and highlighting regional solutions to ensure that businesses in Africa uphold human rights while contributing to inclusive and sustainable development. Over three days, the Forum featured high-level panels, roundtables and clinics, alongside a dedicated UN Global Compact Networking Event. These sessions provided space for governments, businesses and rights holders to exchange experiences, showcase innovations and build partnerships to translate high-level commitments into tangible action. Discussions centred on four priority areas: Strengthening access to remedy for victims of business-related human rights and environmental harms through improved policy frameworks, stronger judicial capacity and more effective grievance mechanisms; Advancing reparations by emphasizing the shared responsibility of states and businesses to address historical and ongoing injustices; Promoting responsible business conduct by embedding human rights due diligence across operations and aligning with regional frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the draft AU Business and Human Rights Policy; and Enhancing transparency and accountability through digital tools, improved reporting and collective monitoring of commitments. Speaking at the opening of the Forum, Hervé Lado, Africa Head of the UN Global Compact, underscored the urgent need for businesses to embed human rights into their operations and lead by example. “The theme of this year is a call to action for effective remedy, an invitation to go beyond protect and respect. As we develop our new global strategy 2026-2030, we want to equip more businesses in Africa by 2030 with knowledge, expertise and more ambition in upholding the Ten Principles and implementing adequate and effective remedies where their activities have caused adverse impacts. How companies respect human rights and implement remedies is central to building resilient and inclusive economies,” Lado said.
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The UN Global Compact Africa Regional Hub in Chad, recently joined the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator to convene a capacity-building and exchange workshop with leaders of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), government representatives and business associations. The session which was held on the 29 and 30 September 2025, revealed a significant opportunity: many SMEs are already contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), often unknowingly, through their daily operations. For example, a local dairy producer discovered that his business directly advances SDGs 1 and 2, and committed to formalising corporate social responsibility practices to deepen his company’s contribution. This experience reflects a broader challenge on SDG awareness among the private sector. While national development plans give the private sector a central role—Chad’s national development plan “Chad Connection 2030” allocates 46 percent of anticipated investments to private actors—, awareness of the SDGs remains limited. Yet evidence shows that private sector engagement is indispensable. Unlocking private sector investment in these sectors, alongside infrastructure and renewable energy, could accelerate growth and resilience. According to the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC), agriculture and pastoralism account for more than half of Chad’s GDP, with 73 percent of households depending on them for income . Yet, awareness of the SDGs among businesses remains low. At the same time, Chad’s new national development plan, Chad Connection 2030, targets over US$30 billion in investment by 2030 , with the private sector expected to play a decisive role. While in N’Djamena for the capacity-building and exchange workshop, Dr. Hervé Lado, Head of the UN Global Compact Africa Regional Hub, urged participants to embrace SDG-centered efforts in their business operations. “Leveraging the momentum from the 80th Anniversary of the UN, the 25th Anniversary of the UN Global Compact and the recent UN General Assembly, the private sector, the government and the UN system in Chad are called to enhance collaboration and catalyze partnerships to accelerate the achievement of the national development plan and the SDGs for the benefit of the populations,” Dr. Lado, expressed. Encouragingly, international partners are stepping up. Afreximbank has pledged up to US$1.5 billion to boost Chad’s private sector , particularly in agriculture and agro-industry. Combined with improved awareness, such commitments demonstrate how local enterprises can transition from being passive beneficiaries of development to active drivers of sustainable change. Strengthening dialogue and capacity building will be essential to ensure that businesses across the Sahel can fully align with the 2030 Agenda and mobilise the investments needed for inclusive and sustainable development.
