On 20 August 2026, the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA), Centre for Human Rights and partners convened an online webinar to mark 15 years since the unanimous endorsement of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by the UN Human Rights Council. The webinar provided a continental platform for African civil society organisations, community representatives, National Human Rights Institutions, academics, regional institutions and other stakeholders to reflect on Africa’s business and human rights journey and consider what needs to change in the years ahead.
The discussion was moderated by Joel Lutimba Lumala a Business and Human Rights Field Officer at Enabel. The webinar brought together speakers and participants from different parts of the continent, and was graced by the presence of Prof. Damilola S. Olawuyi, Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights who began the discussions with a key note speech. Other contributors included, Mr Emmanuel Umpula Nkumba, Executive Director of AFREWATCH; Lamarana Diallo, Programmes Coordinator at Action Mines Guinée; Monica Ngcobo, a local community leader from the Eastern Cape, South Africa; Ceasar Ketebe, Programme Manager at the Zambia Alliance of Women; Leonard Mabasa of Buhera Residents Network Trust in Zimbabwe; Ms Seraphine Kando, Senior Human Rights and Rule of Law Expert in the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security; and Ms Furaha Charo, Business and Human Rights and Sustainable Oceans Lead at NANHRI.
The webinar provided an opportunity to take stock of the influence of the UNGPs across Africa since their adoption in 2011. Participants reflected on developments including the growing recognition of business and human rights within national and regional policy frameworks, the development of National Action Plans, increased engagement by National Human Rights Institutions, and the growing use of litigation and other accountability mechanisms to address business-related human rights impacts. At the same time, speakers emphasised that the existence of policies and commitments has not always translated into effective protection for people and communities affected by business activities. Experiences shared during the webinar highlighted continuing concerns around land dispossession, environmental harm, labour rights violations, impacts associated with extractive industries and infrastructure development, and the difficulties communities face in obtaining effective remedy. The discussion therefore placed particular emphasis on the need to move beyond commitments and ensure that business and human rights standards are implemented in practice.
A central feature of the webinar was the inclusion of perspectives from communities and civil society organisations working directly with people affected by business activities. Community and civil society speakers brought attention to the realities behind policy discussions, highlighting the importance of meaningful participation, access to information, protection of communities and human rights defenders, and access to effective remedies.
These contributions reinforced the importance of treating affected communities not simply as stakeholders to be consulted, but as rights-holders whose experiences and priorities should inform business and human rights governance.
The discussion also highlighted the diversity of experiences across the continent. Contributions from countries including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Guinea, DRC and Tanzania alongside regional and international perspectives, demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where African experiences can inform wider discussions on corporate accountability.
For more information, please contact:
Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 6398
basimanyane.k@up.ac.za
