Private Sector Milestones on Human Rights
Closed-door, business-only session

Background 

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This session will showcase key milestones, breakthroughs, and innovations achieved by the African private sector in advancing human rights over the past decade, especially since the endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Amid increased pressure from regulators, consumers, civil society, and investors, African companies have progressively integrated human rights into their governance frameworks, operations, supply chains, and community engagement strategies.

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The session will highlight examples of corporate leadership and innovation including the establishment of human rights policies, due diligence processes, grievance mechanisms, gender equality commitments, child labour prevention, and climate-related human rights action. Examples of such corporate action will be drawn from the UN Global Compact Business and Human Rights Accelerator programme which has run for 3 years in Africa. It will offer an opportunity for private sector actors to reflect on their progress, share lessons learned, and inspire peer-to-peer learning across regions and industries.

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By highlighting milestones, the session encourages other stakeholders including governments, development partners, and CSOs to recognize, support, and build on corporate leadership in human rights.

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The session will also address persistent challenges and the road ahead, especially with emerging due diligence legislation, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and increasing scrutiny on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices.

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Key Objectives

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• Highlight private sector achievements in integrating human rights principles in Africa.

• Showcase replicable models and tools for due diligence, remedy, and inclusive practices.

• Demonstrate progress of African enterprises and multinationals actively participating in UN Global Compact programmes in driving meaningful change through due diligence practices.

• Encourage business-to-business and multistakeholder learning and scale-up of responsible practices.

• Emphasize gender-responsive practices and women’s rights as a key driver of responsible business conduct.

 

Expected Outcomes

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• Appreciation and understanding of private sector achievements in integrating human rights principles in Africa.

• Showcased resources and tools business is using for due diligence, remedy, and inclusive practices.

• Demonstration of progress of African enterprises and multinationals actively participating in UN Global Compact programmes in driving meaningful change through due diligence practices.

• Peer-learning in areas of business innovation and progress in human rights

• Examples of gender-responsive practices as a key driver of responsible business conduct.

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Background to the Discussion

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Through real-world examples of responsible business conduct and support for remedy such as company-led reparations initiatives, worker voice platforms, and policy reform partnerships, the session illustrates how businesses can proactively deliver impact aligned with the UNGPs. It also provides a space to reflect on collective progress, gaps, and forward-looking priorities, reinforcing the need for continuous action across industries and sectors.

 

The inclusion of gender-responsive milestones such as women's leadership in supply chains, prevention of workplace harassment, and equal pay initiatives will demonstrate the intersection between human rights and gender justice.