By Stephen Simon
The Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainability, responsible business practices and long-term value creation across Africa as it intensifies preparations for the 2026 FITC Sustainability & ESG Conference 3.0 scheduled to hold in Lagos on July 8.
The commitment was reiterated during a high-level media briefing attended by sustainability practitioners, corporate leaders, policymakers and representatives of leading media organisations ahead of the conference, which is themed: “Building a Sustainable Africa: Integrating Environmental Stewardship, Social Impact, and Strong Governance for a Prosperous Future.”
The conference, now in its third edition, has evolved into one of Africa’s leading platforms for sustainability dialogue and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) thought leadership, bringing together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to address emerging sustainability challenges and opportunities.
Speaking at the briefing, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FITC, Dr. Chizor Malize, described sustainability as a strategic imperative for organisations seeking resilience, competitiveness and long-term growth in an increasingly complex global environment.
According to her, businesses can no longer treat sustainability as a compliance requirement or a corporate social responsibility initiative, noting that environmental stewardship, social impact and strong governance have become critical factors influencing investment decisions, regulatory expectations and stakeholder confidence.
She stressed the need for organisations to move beyond policy statements and commitments towards measurable implementation, adding that sustainability considerations must be embedded within governance structures, business operations, investment decisions and organisational culture.
“Building a sustainable future requires collective action, responsible leadership, innovation and strong partnerships across sectors. The focus must shift from intention to execution and from commitments to measurable impact,” she said.
Dr. Malize noted that Africa possesses enormous opportunities driven by its youthful population, abundant natural resources, entrepreneurial capacity and innovation ecosystem. However, she said unlocking these opportunities sustainably would require deliberate collaboration among governments, businesses, investors, regulators and development institutions.
She explained that the conference is designed to equip participants with practical insights, actionable frameworks and strategic partnerships capable of accelerating sustainable transformation across the continent.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of Ayotola Jagun, Executive Director of Oando Plc and Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, James Adenuga, Group Chief HSSE and Sustainability Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, underscored the importance of stakeholder collaboration in addressing sustainability challenges.
He noted that sustainable development cannot be achieved by a single institution or sector acting alone, stressing that businesses, governments, regulators, investors, civil society organisations and development partners must work together to create systems capable of delivering lasting economic, social and environmental value.
According to Adenuga, sustainable growth requires long-term thinking, responsible leadership and collaborative solutions that balance economic prosperity with environmental protection and social inclusion.
Also speaking, Head of Insights and Policy Advocacy at FITC, Dooyum Okwong, said the conference will provide a platform for robust discussions on some of Africa’s most pressing sustainability priorities, while encouraging practical actions capable of driving measurable outcomes.
She highlighted the calibre of experts expected to participate in the event, noting that discussions will focus on moving sustainability from aspiration to implementation through stronger governance frameworks, climate action, responsible investment, social development and institutional accountability.
One of the major highlights of the conference will be the Sustainability & ESG Titans Plenary, which will examine how organisations can transition from sustainability commitments to concrete actions that generate measurable environmental, social and economic impact. Discussions are also expected to focus on climate resilience, resource efficiency, sustainable finance, governance excellence, stakeholder engagement and responsible business leadership.
The conference is being convened through the FITC Sustainability & ESG Institute, whose advisory board comprises prominent leaders and experts in governance, sustainability, finance and public policy, including Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Olufemi Shobanjo, Olufemi Awoyemi, Tinuade Awe and Osayi Alile, among others.
Similarly, the conference planning committee includes sustainability practitioners and industry leaders drawn from organisations such as Oando Plc, Coca-Cola HBC Nigeria, Seplat Energy, IHS Towers, Dangote Industries Limited, Chevron, TotalEnergies, FrieslandCampina and the Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation.
FITC said this year’s conference is expected to attract corporate executives, board members, regulators, policymakers, investors, development finance institutions, multilateral organisations, academic institutions and civil society groups from across Africa.
Participants are expected to explore practical strategies for integrating ESG principles into business operations, strengthening governance systems, accelerating sustainable finance initiatives and fostering partnerships capable of driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Established in 1981, FITC is a leading innovation-driven knowledge and professional services institution focused on capacity building, leadership development, advisory services, research and business transformation across Africa. Through its sustainability initiatives and thought leadership platforms, the organisation has continued to promote conversations around governance, innovation, responsible business practices and sustainable development.
