South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs, Bernice Swarts, will open this year’s fifth annual Sustainability Summit Africa, which takes place in Johannesburg on 16 September 2025.

Hosted in partnership with Deloitte, this is Africa’s leading environmental, social and governance (ESG) event. It forms part of the annual Smart Procurement World Indaba. Under the theme “Global Goals, Local Impact,” the event’s programme focuses on aligning global sustainability targets with actionable, locally relevant solutions. 

The summit will offer attendees powerful insights and practical strategies to respond to the ESG imperative in a way that creates long-term value and supply chain resilience, that mitigates supply chain risk and positively impacts society and communities, organiser Smart Procurement says. “It is critical, however, that ESG approaches are grounded in the African context and designed for local challenges,” stresses Smart Procurement CEO Debbie Tagg.

“In an era defined by rising costs, climate disruption and evolving market demands, sustainability is no longer just about compliance or environmental considerations; it is a critical factor in long-term business success and competitiveness. But we cannot simply cut and paste globalised ESG frameworks into African situations. We need localised ESG strategies because the continent faces unique challenges and opportunities that demand tailored approaches to sustainability; approaches that cater for Africa’s and South Africa’s specific socio-economic, geopolitical and environmental contexts.”

The one-day Sustainability Summit Africa provides a platform for business leaders, policymakers and sustainability champions to convene to learn, share knowledge and network. Attendees can expect a full day of thought-provoking keynotes, case studies and panel discussions covering critical ESG themes, Tagg says. These include renewable energy and net-zero transitions, climate-resilient agriculture approaches and food security, sustainable transport and e-mobility, green manufacturing and industrial decarbonisation, and innovative financing for the green economy.

The summit’s opening keynote presentation by Sasol’s head advisor on Sustainability, Raksha Sunderlall, will explore South Africa’s policy landscape for energy transition, how renewable energy can be scaled up to meet national emission targets and what a sustainable future will hold in terms of jobs and socio-economic development.

A thought-provoking panel discussion will see experts examine the role of solar, wind and hydroelectricity in replacing coal, policy incentives for energy producers and consumers, and the challenges of balancing energy security with decarbonisation. Attendees will gain insights on South Africa’s energy roadmap, including scaling renewables and grid modernisation.

The programme’s other highlights include real-world case studies on water-wise farming and sustainable land use, an exploration of electric and hydrogen-powered transport solutions, energy-efficient innovations in manufacturing and mining, and green bonds and blended finance models.

“As ESG regulations tighten globally and investor and customer expectations shift, African organisations must act swiftly to embed sustainability into the heart of business strategy,” Tagg states. “The Sustainability Summit Africa provides the tools and insights to do just that.

“Too often, ESG discussions remain abstract. This summit is about turning those conversations into practical actions that deliver value - environmentally, socially and economically,” Tagg concludes.

The “Go Green Zone” exhibition at this year’s Sustainability Summit Africa provides a platform for suppliers and experts in sustainable procurement to showcase their products. The Go Green Zone will feature a range of solutions across alternative energy sources, eco-friendly products and waste reduction strategies.