The 24th edition of the BEN-Africa (Business Ethics Network of Africa) Conference took place on 6 and 7 November 2025 at Middlesex University Mauritius in Cascavelle, under the theme “Innovative Technologies, Friend or Foe? Reflecting on Governance and Ethics.”
Supported by the Absa Group as main partner and sponsor for the third consecutive year, this Pan-African gathering brought together academics, business leaders, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across the continent to discuss how innovation and ethics can move forward hand in hand.
Bridging academic and corporate perspectives, the conference explored how emerging technologies can shape responsible governance and ethical business practices. Discussions covered themes such as artificial intelligence (AI) and media ethics, sustainability, corporate governance, and the future of work in an era of automation.
“Technology can indeed be our ally, provided we understand its purpose and the risks it brings. Around the world, significant investments are being made in new technologies. They are here to stay and to evolve. It is now up to us, as Africans, to turn this into an opportunity – and this conference has contributed to that,” said Franco Davis, Chief Enablement Officer and Finance Director at Absa Mauritius.
He added: “Looking back at these two days, we can see a shared story emerging – that of an Africa choosing to grow responsibly and sustainably. This aligns perfectly with Absa’s commitment to being a force for good across the continent, grounded in integrity, growth and progress.”
Representing Absa Mauritius on the panel “Governance and Ethics in the Corporate Sector”, Yoshinee Parasuraman, Head of Compliance, emphasised that sustainable success depends not only on profitability but also on how organisations achieve their objectives: “Ethics must underpin every business decision. The tone must come from the top, but it must also be reflected by each colleague, so that integrity becomes part of our culture every day.”
She also highlighted the convergence of technology and compliance: “At Absa, compliance and artificial intelligence work in harmony. AI strengthens our risk management processes while preserving space for human judgment – which remains essential for sound decision-making.”
In addition to hosting the conference, Absa Mauritius celebrated its ISO 37001 recertification for anti-bribery management – a first within the local banking industry. This dual recognition, both hosting BEN-Africa and renewing the ISO certification, reaffirms Absa’s leadership in governance, transparency and ethical innovation.
“With the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, it is remarkable to see how fast technology is advancing. The future remains uncertain but holds immense potential. This makes the timing of this conference particularly meaningful. This year’s edition stood out for the diversity of its speakers and the depth of the discussions,” said Dr Bryan Robinson, President of BEN-Africa.
Professor Mari Jansen Van Rensburg, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Middlesex University Mauritius, expressed her pride in hosting the event: “Hosting the BEN-Africa Conference was a natural choice for us, given the values we share – ethics, inclusion and diversity. I hope participants were able to experience this diversity, as our campus brings together more than 47 nationalities. For us, technology is a friend, ignorance is the enemy – and ignorance is also the enemy of tolerance.”
By renewing its partnership with BEN-Africa, the Absa Group once again reaffirms its commitment to promoting ethical leadership, good governance and responsible innovation across the continent. This initiative reflects Absa’s purpose: to empower Africa’s tomorrow through trust, collaboration and sustainable business practices.
