To ensure alignment between private investment and public policy priorities, this year’s Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Africa Conference and Expo (SEACon) has been designed to foster “structured engagement” between government and business.

The event, being held at the Sandton Convention Centre on October 15 and 16, will offer plenaries, ministerial sessions and CEO forums to promote joint discussions on policy, leadership and practical solutions.

“Having grown year on year, the event is expected to reach new heights this year,” says SEACon director Wendy Poulton.

She explains that last year the event welcomed its highest attendance, with more than 450 attendees and 25 exhibitors, adding that this year’s event is on track to see a significant increase in the number of attendees, speakers and exhibitors.

“Participation in our community of practice events such as webinars, the Civil Society Organisation Forum, Student Innovation Programme and networking events has also increased as collaboration and awareness about these platforms increases,” Poulton comments.

New features for the 2025 SEACon event include cross-cutting enabler tracks on skills, finance and digital sustainability, as well as a dedicated small-, medium-sized and microenterprise (SMME) session to focus on entrepreneurship and scaling pathways.

“We have also introduced a ‘leadership summit’ for c-suite executives in Africa, which will take place on the first morning of the conference, in partnership with nonprofit organisation The National Business Initiative, the UN- and CEO-led commitment group Global Compact South Africa and nonprofit Share Value Africa.”

Poulton says that Africa is experiencing both the brunt of climate risks and the promise of new green opportunities, adding that “ . . . our theme reflects the need for resilience, agility and innovation in how African businesses and governments navigate shifting global frameworks while developing local solutions”.

Going on at SEACon

This year’s SEACon also highlights the need for resilience, innovation and agility to adapt to shifting global frameworks while shaping local, context-specific solutions, and is ultimately about helping stakeholders navigate increasing uncertainty without losing their focus on sustainability.

“SEACon is about creating a space where African voices set the sustainability agenda for Africa, sparking partnerships that go beyond talk,” says SEACon cofounder and director Josh Low.

He points out that case studies, sectoral level discussions and tools for moving forward and dealing with risks will, therefore, feature prominently on the agenda.

He reiterates the inclusion of an SMME session, adding that, “we encourage SMMEs to join this session taking place from 9 am to 11 am on October 16”.

Overcoming ESG Challenges

Poulton points out the main challenge with organising an event such as SEACon lies in balancing Africa’s diverse perspectives and the involvement of more African players, with the need for coherent, actionable outcomes.

“This, we address through carefully curated cross-sector panels, the inclusion of both business and government leaders, and dedicated space for SMMEs and community stakeholders,” she explains, adding that the organisers are also able to link up with speakers from the rest of the continent to ensure that diverse views are heard.

Poulton adds that the event’s success is gauged through concrete outputs such as sector-specific briefs, published case studies and opinion articles.

Additionally, the partnerships, collaborations and commitments formed through SEACon serve as key indicators of its long-term influence.

“Impact is also reflected in the tangible progress made on the ground by the various organisations participating in our Beyond Awards ceremony, which recognises excellence in sustainability across multiple categories.”

Upcoming editions are anticipated to feature more regional dialogues that feed into the main event, as well as expanded partnerships with universities and other sustainability organisations across the continent.

“This will deepen SEACon’s role in anchoring sustainability skills and leadership development across the continent,” concludes Poulton.