Businesses and industry stakeholders have pledged stronger action on waste reduction, responsible resource management, green innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth following the inaugural Africa Sustainability Forum 2026 in Lagos.

The forum took place on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, under the theme, ‘Sustainable Futures: Driving Just Transitions, Green Growth and Shared Prosperity’.

Organised by TheNumbersNG.com, the gathering brought together business executives, policymakers, sustainability professionals and other stakeholders to discuss practical approaches to advancing sustainable development across Africa.

A key outcome was the adoption of the Africa Sustainability Pledge, which called on participants to move beyond conversations and take individual and collective responsibility for building a sustainable future.

Through the declaration, participants committed to reducing waste, using resources responsibly, supporting green innovations that generate employment, promoting inclusion and ensuring economic growth benefits a wider section of society. They also pledged to turn discussions into practical action.

The declaration ended with a call for personal accountability: “Because Africa’s future is sustainable, and it starts with me!”

The pledge reflected the forum’s position that sustainability should go beyond corporate declarations and conference discussions. Instead, it should influence business decisions, investment priorities, manufacturing processes and everyday activities.

Among the organisations that supported the event were Nestlé Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission, Rite Foods, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria, the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, PwC Nigeria, Omisej Nigeria Limited and Aren Paper Mills.

Their involvement highlighted the importance of collaboration across different sectors in tackling environmental challenges, creating economic opportunities and encouraging responsible business practices.

Speaking in a goodwill message, Nestlé Nigeria Plc’s Sustainability Manager, Chinwe Obi, stressed that lasting progress would depend on collective efforts and purposeful partnerships.

“At Nestlé Nigeria, we believe that sustainability requires collective action, purposeful partnerships and a shared commitment to creating long-term value for people, communities and the planet,” she said.

Obi also praised the Africa Sustainability Forum for creating an opportunity for stakeholders from different sectors to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and develop practical responses to Africa’s sustainable development challenges.

The Managing Editor of TheNumbersNG.com and Lead Coordinator of the Africa Sustainability Forum, Elvis Eromosele, said the focus on collaboration reflected an increasing understanding that Africa’s sustainability goals could only be achieved through coordinated efforts.

He identified businesses, government institutions, investors, development partners and local communities as essential participants in the process.

According to him, the shift towards a greener economy presents both challenges and opportunities, particularly in waste management, recycling, clean energy, responsible manufacturing and inclusive employment.

Eromosele explained that businesses must incorporate sustainability into their operations and value chains by finding practical ways to minimise environmental damage, conserve resources and generate shared value.

He added that policymakers and other stakeholders also have responsibilities to establish supportive policies, strengthen partnerships and attract investments that would make sustainable practices more accessible and economically viable.

The Africa Sustainability Pledge is intended to provide a shared framework for carrying these responsibilities beyond the forum, with emphasis on efficient resource use, green enterprise, inclusion and accountability.

The inaugural event reinforced the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental protection while ensuring that businesses and communities benefit from development without compromising the needs of future generations.

Its central message was that creating a sustainable Africa requires shared responsibility, with meaningful progress dependent on turning commitments into measurable action.

SOURCE: Breezy News Nigeria