Concept Note

From Commitment to Action: Advancing Remedy, Reparations and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa

Background

Africa stands as a pivotal player in global economic advancement, propelled by its abundant resources, dynamic youth demographic and rapid technological integration. The continent’s evolving regulatory landscape reflects concerted efforts to enhance governance, promote transparency, curb corruption and enhance alignment with international human rights and environmental standards. These dynamics present both opportunities and challenges at the intersection between business and human rights (BHR). Across Africa, responsible business conduct is advancing through the adoption and recognition of global and regional frameworks, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and the draft AU BHR Policy, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) resolution on Business and Human Rights in Africa. These frameworks prioritize human rights, corporate accountability, and remedies for adverse business-related human rights impacts. The ACHPR, in collaboration with the AU, has also developed the AU-UN joint framework for Peace, Security, Development, and Human Rights in Africa, reinforcing a shared commitment to promoting human rights in Africa.

In addition, the development and operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), integrates human rights and sustainability provisions, marking a significant milestone towards embedding responsible business conduct in African supply chains and beyond. These efforts collectively serve as a catalyst for promoting business respect for human rights and corporate accountability across the continent.

Within national contexts, four countries (Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Liberia) have adopted national action plans on BHR (NAP). Several other countries (Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, and Zambia) are at various stages of NAP development, supported by robust regional and national BHR dialogues. These efforts reflect strong commitments and growing momentum in Africa towards promoting responsible business practices.

Despite these developments, actionable outcomes to enhance corporate accountability, provide remedies and ensure reparations remain limited. Systemic policy and institutional barriers continue to hinder communities, especially groups at heightened risk such as Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and persons with disabilities from securing accountability for human rights and environmental-abuses related to business activities. However, Africa’s progress in addressing these challenges remains notable. The continent demonstrates resilience in sustaining dialogue and building momentum toward a future where remedies are accessible, reparations are meaningful, and businesses fulfill their potential to act as a force for good.

The 4th Africa Business and Human Rights Forum scheduled for 7–9 October 2025 builds on the achievement of prior Africa BHR Forums in Ghana (2022), Ethiopia (2023) and Kenya (2024), which collectively engaged over 1400 participants. The 2022 Forum featured developments towards UNGPs implementation, fostering greater momentum; the 2023 Forum emphasized local perspectives and solutions; and the 2024 Forum focused on the changing regulatory context and a call to action through the Nairobi Declaration 2024. The declaration served as a collective commitment to address the key action points from the Forum.

Thematic Focus Areas

The theme of the 4th Africa BHR Forum is, “From Commitment to Action: Advancing Remedy, Reparations and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa”. The Forum focuses on transforming commitments to tangible, actionable outcomes that bridge the gap between policy commitments and practical implementation in the areas of remedy, reparations and RBC.

Bringing together representatives from governments, NHRIs, human rights experts, civil society, business entities, industry associations, labour organisations, international organisations, Indigenous Peoples, think tanks and rights holders, this year’s theme focuses on four core pillars, with outcomes outlined below:

Strengthening Access to Remedy

Development and implementation of effective legislative and policy frameworks (including NAPs) to enhance access to effective remedies in line with UNGPs.
Enhancing judicial mechanisms to effectively adjudicate BHR related cases including through training for judicial officers to deliver remedy in line with regional and global legal standards.
Strengthening remediation mechanisms to better provide effective, rights-based remedies and enhance accessibility for all those impacted, including indigenous peoples, local communities, and marginalized groups.
Strengthening State-based non – judicial mechanisms such as National Human Rights Institutions and ombudsperson offices
Facilitating access to effective non-State based grievance mechanisms such as operational-level grievance mechanisms, regional human rights bodies and other platforms to resolve BHR cases in ways that are transparent, accessible, rights based and in line with the UNGPs effectiveness criteria.

Advancing Reparations

Advocating for comprehensive reparations frameworks to address historical and ongoing human rights violations and environmental abuses.
Advocating for financial and non-financial reparations including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, and apologies to affected communities.
Engaging governments and businesses on their role in delivering and implementing reparations.
Creating awareness on the AU Transitional Justice Policy and encouraging alignment

Promoting Responsible Business Conduct

Encouraging integration of human rights due diligence in business policies and practices to prevent, address and mitigate concerns.
Supporting integration of RBC into national policies, trade agreements and investment frameworks, including through the AfCFTA framework.
Promoting RBC amidst rapidly evolving BHR landscape in terms of policies, regulations, economic trends and trade dynamics.
Highlighting best practices and models from African businesses.

Increasing Transparency and Accountability

Foster regional collaboration to implement and track progress on remedy, reparations, and RBC commitments.
Showcasing digital platforms and technology that enhance documentation, reporting, and disclosures.
Leverage on the capacity of civil society and youth to foster innovation in the advancement of RBC.
Consider the development of a common reporting framework to collectively track progress and communicate outcomes to key stakeholders.

Format and Content

The 2025 African BHR Forum will be a hybrid event, combining in person and virtual sessions to maximize participation. The Forum will be held from 7-9 October 2025 and will feature:

Day 1 | 7 October 2025

High-Level Open Plenary Session + Panel Discussions, Trainings, Clinics, and Interactive breakout sessions

Keynote addresses by African leaders, international actors, and BHR experts, offering strategic insights into the current state of play and pathways to solutions.
Partner led side events hosted by regional organisations, civil society, and National Human Rights Institutions to deepen stakeholder engagement.
Thematic discussions and trainings around this year’s theme to enhance stakeholder engagement around specific topics and foster collaboration

Day 2 | 8 October 2025

Panel Discussions, Trainings, Clinics, and Interactive breakout sessions

Partner led side events hosted by regional organisations, civil society, and National Human Rights Institutions to deepen stakeholder engagement. Thematic discussions and trainings around this year’s theme to enhance stakeholder engagement around specific topics and foster collaboration

Day 3 | 9 October 2025

Panel Discussions, Trainings, Clinics, and Interactive breakout sessions

All Days | Showcases

Exhibitions, book stands and movies/documentaries screenings

Venue

The Forum will be held in Lusaka, Zambia

Participants

The Forum will gather representatives of CSOs, business enterprises and associations, labour organisations, governments, NHRIs and other human rights actors, think tanks, international organisations, and institutions active in BHR across Africa.

Language

The Forum communications and the event will be in English. French interpretation will be provided.