In a statement made available to the media in Lagos, FITC stated that this year’s conference will hold in Lagos with the theme: “Building a Sustainable Africa: Integrating Environmental Stewardship, Social Impact, and Strong Governance for a Prosperous Future”.

“The conference, themed will bring together a distinguished community of sustainability thought leaders, corporate executives, governance experts, regulators, development finance professionals, policymakers, investors, and ecosystem enablers committed to accelerating sustainable development across Africa,” said Dr. Chizor Malize, MD/CEO, FITC.

She said,

“As sustainability continues to shape business strategy, investment decisions, and public policy globally, organizations across Africa are increasingly expected to create value while addressing environmental challenges, social development priorities, and governance responsibilities,” Dr. Malize added.

The growing demand for sustainable business practices, responsible investment frameworks, and transparent governance structures has elevated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations from a corporate aspiration to a strategic imperative.

Acording to her,

“The conference is designed and delivered by the FITC Sustainability & ESG Institute. The FITC Sustainability & ESG Institute Advisory Board includes Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, Senior Partner, Kenna Partners and Chairman, Guinness Nigeria PLC; Dr. Chizor Malize, MD/CEO, FITC; Soromidayo George, Director, Corporate Affairs & Sustainable Business; Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Member, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB); Dr. Henrietta Onwueguzia, Director, Business Innovation Accelerator; Olufemi Shobanjo, Chief Executive Officer, NGX Regulation Limited; Olufemi Awoyemi, Board Chairman, Proshare Nigeria; Tinuade Awe, Experienced Attorney and Governance Consultant; and Osayi Alile, Chief Executive Officer, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation.”

Dr. Malize, who revealed that the conference is supported by a distinguished Planning Committee that comprises sustainability & ESG practitioners and industry thought leaders which includes: Ayotola O. Jagun, Executive Director, Oando Plc; Dr. Chizor Malize, MD/CEO, FITC; Soromidayo George, Director, Corporate Affairs & Sustainable Development, CocaCola HBC Nigeria; Prof. Kenneth Amaeshi, Chair in Sustainable Finance & Governance; Olufemi Shobanjo, CEO, NGX Regulation Limited; Chioma Afe, Director, External Affairs, Seplat Energy; Titilope Oguntuga, Director, Sustainability IHS Towers; Lolade Awogbade, Assistant Vice President, Sustainability Specialist, DBN; Ebisan Akinsanya, Coordinator, Corporate Responsibility & National Programs, Chevron; Chinwe Ifechiga, Social Performance Advisor, Total Energies; James Adenuga, Group Chief HSE & Sustainability Officer, Dangote Industries Limited; Oreoluwa Famurewa, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Friesland Campina; Osayi Alile, Chief Executive Officer, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, stated that  together, these distinguished professionals bring extensive expertise spanning sustainability strategy, climate finance, ESG reporting, corporate governance, environmental management, social investment, public policy, responsible business leadership, and enterprise transformation.

Their collective insights continue to shape a conference agenda that is practical, forward-looking, implementation-focused, and aligned with the realities of sustainable development across Africa.

One of the key highlights of this year’s conference is the Sustainability & ESG Titans Plenary, themed “Building a Sustainable Africa: From Commitment to Action.”

This session will explore how organizations can move beyond sustainability commitments to measurable actions that deliver long-term environmental, social, and economic value.

Discussions will focus on implementation strategies, accountability frameworks, stakeholder collaboration, and the practical pathways required to accelerate sustainable transformation across Africa.

The conference agenda will further examine how environmental stewardship can be leveraged to enhance business resilience, drive sustainable growth, and secure long-term prosperity, with conversations centered on climate action, resource efficiency, responsible environmental management, and the role of sustainability in strengthening organizational competitiveness.

Participants will also explore the importance of strategic social investment as a catalyst for Africa’s sustainable development and shared prosperity, focusing on how organizations can create meaningful social impact through inclusive development initiatives, community engagement, human capital development, and purposeful investments that generate measurable outcomes for society.

Speaking further to the upcoming conference, the CEO of FITC, highlighted the growing need for organizations to move beyond sustainability commitments towards deliberate action and measurable impact.

“Sustainability is no longer a peripheral consideration; it is a strategic imperative for building resilient organizations, thriving communities, and prosperous economies. As Africa navigates increasingly complex environmental, social, and governance challenges, the focus must shift from intention to execution. Building a sustainable future requires collective action, responsible leadership, innovative thinking, and strong partnerships across sectors.

“The 2026 FITC Sustainability & ESG Conference provides a unique platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share practical solutions, and accelerate the actions needed to drive sustainable transformation across the continent.”

Over the years, the FITC Sustainability & ESG Conference has evolved into a leading platform for advancing sustainability conversations, promoting responsible business practices, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders committed to Africa’s sustainable future.

The conference has consistently brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to address pressing sustainability challenges and identify opportunities for collective action.

This year’s conference is expected to deepen those conversations by creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, strategic partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration.

Participants will gain access to high-level networking opportunities, actionable insights, and practical frameworks designed to strengthen ESG integration, support sustainable value creation, and accelerate positive environmental and social outcomes.

The conference will also provide a unique opportunity for stakeholders to engage in investment conversations, regulatory discussions, and partnership-building initiatives that can drive sustainable transformation across industries and sectors.

As Africa continues to navigate the complex intersection of economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social development, the FITC Sustainability & ESG Conference 3.0 remains committed to supporting organizations and leaders in building resilient institutions, responsible enterprises, and thriving communities.

The third edition of scheduled to be held on July 8th, 2026 in Lagos.

In 2022, one of the earliest and boldest steps taken by Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, was the removal of the Right of Way (RoW) charges for laying broadband fibre across Anambra State.

At the time, it may have seemed like a quiet policy move, but in reality, it laid the foundation for the state’s ongoing digital transformation journey.

The logic behind this move is simple but powerful. By waiving RoW charges, the administration sent a clear message to telecom operators, broadband providers, and investors: Anambra is open for digital business.

This single decision has paved the way for fibre-to-home deployment, the expansion of 5G infrastructure, and faster, more reliable internet across communities, ultimately boosting the ease of doing business.

Perhaps one of the most visible testaments to this visionary policy is the ongoing roll-out of the “Solution Free Wi-Fi” initiative, which is democratizing internet access for students, traders, civil servants, and everyday citizens, alongside the digitization of government processes that are making service delivery faster and more transparent.

Anambra is reaping the dividends of a forward-thinking approach.

What seemed impossible a few years ago is now a lived reality: Teachers are being equipped with digital tools, enhancing lesson delivery and preparing students for a technology-driven future.

Civil servants now work with smarter systems, making the civil service more efficient, transparent, and responsive to citizens, while young innovators are finding an enabling environment to create solutions and businesses that improve lives and shape the future.

What began as a policy shift has cascaded into practical, people-centred benefits that are redefining how Anambra learns, works, and governs.

This backbone is also unlocking new opportunities in telemedicine, e-learning, smart agriculture, and more. In short, the Soludo-led administration’s decision aligns perfectly with the governor’s vision of building a liveable and prosperous megacity, anchored on technology.

More notably, Anambra’s forward-thinking move aligns it with both national and global best practices. In Nigeria, states like Lagos, Ekiti and Kaduna that reduced or eliminated RoW fees saw significant surges in broadband penetration and digital services. Internationally, countries like Kenya and Rwanda demonstrate how lowering barriers for telecom operators fuels widespread connectivity, attracts investment, and spurs innovation.

Anambra’s decision places it firmly within this league of forward-looking regions, positioning the state as not just a beneficiary of technology but a driver of digital growth in Nigeria.

This is not just about cables in the ground, it’s about creating an ecosystem where technology thrives and opportunities multiply.

Anambra is proving that the future truly belongs to states that embrace technology not as a slogan, but as a strategy.

The state’s journey toward becoming a digital hub in Nigeria is still unfolding, but the foundation has been laid, strong and unshakable, by a single, daring choice.

Mr. Dinesh Balsingh, the chief executive officer of Airtel Nigeria, who expressed the company’s appreciation of the decision to allow for a tariff increase of up to 50% across services, stated that the development underscores the regulator’s commitment to fostering sustainability and enhance investment in the telecommunications industry for superior service delivery.

According to him,

“The tariff adjustment reflects a balanced approach to ensuring the sustainability of the telecommunications sector while safeguarding the interests of consumers,” adding that “the price increase which was highly needed for the survival and continued growth of the industry, will enable us to continue investing in network infrastructure, expanding coverage, and delivering improved products and services that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Airtel Nigeria remains committed to its mission of bridging the digital divide by offering reliable and affordable telecommunications services.

With Nigeria’s vibrant economy and dynamic population, the company believes the decision by NCC creates an environment conducive to innovation and growth, benefiting consumers and the industry alike.

“We are confident that this development will pave the way for even greater advancements in telecommunications services across the country,” added Balsingh. “Our focus remains on providing exceptional customer satisfaction while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the industry.”

As part of Airtel Africa, which operates in 14 countries across the continent, Airtel Nigeria reiterates its dedication to the Nigerian market and its significant role in shaping the future of connectivity and digital inclusion.