Global goals, local impact

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

Hosted in partnership with Deloitte, the event is regarded as Africa’s premier environmental, social, and governance (ESG) conference and forms part of the annual Smart Procurement World Indaba. Under the theme “Global Goals, Local Impact”, the programme focuses on aligning global sustainability targets with actionable, locally relevant solutions. “It is critical, however, that ESG approaches are grounded in the African context and designed for local challenges,” says 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,” she continues. “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 specific socio-economic, geopolitical and environmental contexts.”

The one-day summit brings together business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability champions for keynotes, case studies, and panel discussions. These will discuss renewable energy and net-zero transitions, climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable transport and e-mobility, green manufacturing and industrial decarbonisation, and financing for the green economy.

Sasol’s head advisor on sustainability, Raksha Sunderlall, will deliver the opening keynote on South Africa’s policy landscape for energy transition, scaling renewable energy to meet national emission targets, and the implications for jobs and socio-economic development.

A panel discussion will 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. Other programme highlights include case studies on water-wise farming and sustainable land use, 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 says. “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.”