Absa Group is proud to announce the renewal of its sponsorship of the BEN-Africa (Business Ethics Network of Africa) Conference, taking place from 6 to 7 November 2025 at Middlesex University in Mauritius.The renewal marks a continued commitment by Absa to champion ethical governance and inclusive business practices across the continent.
Now in its 24th year, the BEN-Africa Conference is a premier international platform that brings together academics, business leaders, policymakers, and civil society to engage on the pressing ethical challenges facing African businesses.
The 2025 conference theme, “Innovative Technologies, Friend or Foe? Reflecting on Governance and Ethics,” invites critical reflection on the role of emerging technologies in shaping ethical business conduct and governance frameworks.
Absa’s sponsorship underscores its dedication to contributing to the development of principled, transparent and inclusive business ecosystems by reinforcing governance and business practices through meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
"As a purpose-led organisation, Absa is committed to advancing ethical leadership and governance across the continent. Our continued partnership with BEN-Africa reflects our belief that sustainable progress in Africa depends on strong ethical foundations and collaborative action," said Akash Singh, Group Chief Compliance Officer at Absa Group.
“Indeed this belief is in keeping with our commitment to being an Active Force for Good in Africa – where we take seriously our role as an enabler of economic growth progress,” he said.
According to Singh, this year’s theme resonates with Absa, which regards innovation as a key enabler of sustainable value creation and growth.
“However, with the advent of new technologies that have the potential to accelerate economic development, there is the increased responsibility to ensure we have the governance processes in place to ensure the ethical soundness of these technologies,” Singh said.
President of the Business Ethics Network of Africa Dr Bryan Robinson said he was looking forward to deeper collaboration with Absa in this year’s conference and beyond. “This collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships in promoting moral integrity in all our business dealings in Africa. We are proud to offer a platform that enables us, as Africans, to remove the obstacles that stand in the way of ethical governance on the continent,” Dr Robinson said.
Building on this vision, Prof. Mari Jansen Van Rensburg, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director at Middlesex University Mauritius, said: “We are proud to collaborate with Absa and BEN-Africa to host the conference on our campus, bringing together international stakeholders to address the challenges of conducting inclusive and principled business in Africa. This event reflects our commitment to fostering global dialogue grounded in shared values, rigorous inquiry, and practical solutions that support sustainable development across the region.”
The conference will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and workshops exploring the intersection of technology, ethics, and governance, with a focus on practical solutions for African contexts. Absa invites stakeholders from across sectors to join the conversation and help shape a future where innovation and integrity go hand in hand.
It is apt that this conversation will take place in Mauritius, where Absa Mauritius continues to lead by example in governance and ethical standards.
The bank has successfully achieved the ISO 37001 anti-bribery management system recertification, reaffirming its position as the first and only local bank to hold this internationally recognised certification. The recertification, achieved with zero non-conformities, validates Absa Mauritius’ robust anti-bribery controls and commitment to transparency, integrity, and ethical conduct across all operations.
Said Yoshinee Parasuraman, Head of Compliance of Absa Mauritius: “ We are honoured that Absa Group has chosen Mauritius to host this prestigious platform in collaboration with BEN-Africa. This recognition reflects Absa Mauritius’ unwavering commitment to ethics and good governance. As the only bank in Mauritius to hold ISO 37001 certification on anti-bribery and corruption processes, our recent recertification further strengthens our dedication to transparency, integrity, and trust, values that are deeply embedded in the way we operate.”
For more information about the BEN-Africa Conference, please visit https://www.benafrica.org/
