Economist Impact Announces The Return Of Sustainability Week Africa 2025 In Cape Town

Themed “An action plan for Africa’s green industrial revolution”, the event will bring together over 500 delegates  and 100 speakers to explore practical strategies for accelerating Africa’s just and profitable green transition. 

Taking place from October 30th to 31st 2025 at The Westin, Cape Town, Sustainability Week Africa will build  on the momentum and insights of the inaugural edition in 2024, which brought together over 300 regional and  international leaders. This year’s programme will deepen those conversations, focusing on real-world  strategies, investment models and cross-sector collaboration to advance measurable impact. 

Attendees will include global investors, corporate executives, policymakers, civil society leaders, sustainability  specialists and technical experts from sectors such as energy, finance, agriculture, infrastructure, retail and  technology. Sessions will examine pathways for scaling renewable energy, strengthening food systems and  biodiversity, expanding access to climate finance and creating jobs through sustainable innovation. 

This year’s theme, “An action plan for Africa’s green industrial revolution”, underscores the need for  measurable progress. As the continent most vulnerable to climate change, and least responsible for causing  it, Africa has a unique opportunity to lead global sustainability efforts while unlocking economic growth.  

On Thursday October 30th, Vijay Vaitheeswaran, global energy and climate innovation editor at The  Economist, will deliver opening remarks, followed by keynote addresses from Dion George, minister of  forestry, fisheries and the environment of South Africa, Damilola Ogunbiyi, special representative of the United  Nations Secretary-General and chief executive, Sustainable Energy for All, and Mo Ibrahim, founder and  chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.  

Confirmed speakers include: 

1. Dion George, minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment, South Africa 

2. Mo Ibrahim, founder and chairman, Mo Ibrahim Foundation 

3. Damilola Ogunbiyi, special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and chief  executive, Sustainable Energy for All 

4. Mukhtar Babayev, president, COP29 

5. Rivoningo Mnisi, group executive, Eskom Renewables  

6. T. Patrick Walsh, chief executive, Sun King 

7. Brad Tirpak, trustee, The HALO Trust 

8. Jan Fourie, chief executive, Mulilo 

9. Viola Graham-Douglas, sustainable development director, Lafarge Africa 

10. Ayo Sopitan, founder and chief executive, Metalex Commodities

A full list of speakers can be found here. 

The programme will amplify Africa’s voice in the global climate debate and attract investment for a resilient,  low-carbon future. Key sessions will focus on building resilient energy systems, expanding access to climate  finance and developing inclusive digital trade protocols under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Other  panels will explore the promise of low-carbon agriculture, circular innovation in waste management and  biodiversity as a business imperative. 

The agenda will also include a CSO Leaders Club, curated networking sessions and cross-industry dialogues  aimed at leveraging synergies between the public and private sectors. In addition, Economist Impact will host  a CSO Retreat at Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyard in Franschhoek, bringing senior sustainability  leaders together for off-the-record discussions and collaboration in a setting rooted in sustainable land  management and local community impact. 

The full programme can be viewed here.  

Harry Chapman, head of sustainability events at Economist Impact, said:  

“Last year’s discussions made clear that Africa’s sustainability ambitions are no longer theoretical;  businesses and governments are already taking bold steps. What’s needed now is scale. This year’s  event will look at how to replicate and fund those successes, from expanding access to green finance  to embedding sustainability across corporate value chains.” 

Sustainability Week Africa is part of Economist Impact’s global series of sustainability events, including the  flagship Sustainability Week in London, Sustainability Week US in New York and Sustainability Week Europe  in Amsterdam. 

Sponsors supporting this year’s event include Standard Bank, Woolworths, Nedbank CIB, Boston Consulting  Group, Pernod Ricard, United Nations Global Compact and Webber Wentzel.