9th Annual ESG Conference Summit 2025

Theme: Towards a Sustainable Zimbabwe: Bridging Policy, Community, and Business Initiatives – A Holistic Approach to ESG in Zimbabwe.

Introduction

The global shift towards Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles is more than a corporate trend; it is a necessary framework for sustainable development. As Zimbabwe strives to create a robust economy, it is imperative to build an ESG framework that resonates with national interests while fostering collaboration among governments, public organizations, civil society, and the private sector. The 9th Annual ESG and Sustainability Conference in Victoria Falls aims to catalyse ideas and solutions that not only embrace ESG principles but also empower all stakeholders to actively engage and contribute to a sustainable future in Zimbabwe. The summit is also the leading ecosystem and platform in Zimbabwe which discusses important issues that include, Climate Change, ESG, Impact Investing and Sustainable Finance and all critical issues and interventions necessary to achieve sustainable development.

Objectives

1. Promote Understanding of ESG: Increase awareness of ESG principles and their importance in fostering sustainable development and economic resilience in Zimbabwe.
2. Facilitate Collaboration: Create a platform for diverse stakeholders to collaborate, share experiences, and establish partnerships aimed at implementing effective ESG strategies.
3. Draft the Zimbabwe National ESG Framework: Engage participants in discussions to establish a cohesive and actionable ESG framework that meets national goals and aligns with global standards.

Target Audience

• Top Level Executives (CEO, CFO),
• Board Directors,
• Sustainability/ESG Team,
• Safety, Health & Environment Managers and Officers,
• Department Heads (HR, PR, Marketing, Operations, Finance, Investors, Company Secretaries, Risk and Compliance Managers, Liaison officers, CSR/ESG Officers among others)
• Government officials and policymakers
  • Representatives from the private sector and corporations
  • NGOs and civil society organizations
  • Academia and researchers
  • Local communities and grassroots organizations
  • International organizations and donors

Topics

1. Keynote Addresses:

• The Role of ESG in Driving Sustainable Economic Growth in Zimbabwe.
• Empowering Future Leaders: The Role of Education in Driving ESG Awareness.

Climate Action: Climate Change Adaption & Resilience

• Climate Change and the Impact on Zimbabwe’s Natural Resources: A Call for Action.
• USA’s withdrawal from the Paris agreement, World Aid cuts and effects to world sustainable development.
• Innovative Communication for Climate Action: Using telecoms to promote sustainability awareness.

Social Impact:

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, human rights
• Integrating mental health support within an organization
• Stakeholder Engagement and Accountability: Strategies for fostering relationships with stakeholders
• Employee well-being: Promoting a safe and healthy work environment for employees

Governance & Risk Management: ESG disclosure, risk management, board diversity, executive compensation

• Best Practices in ESG Reporting: Transparency as a Trust-Building Tool
• ESG Data Collection and management, leveraging on technology (ESG Vision Pro).
• The Future of ESG Reporting: Transparency and Accountability in Zimbabwe
• The principles of corporate governance and their application in the Public Sector.
• Ethical Governance: Trust, Integrity, and Transparency, the importance of Ethics in Corporate Governance
• Leadership in Action: Exploring Case Studies of Successful ESG Initiative

ESG Legislation

• ESG & Sustainability Legislation: Integrating Zimbabwe fragmented ESG & Sustainability related legislation into a national guiding Framework
• ESG Regulation: What We Can Learn from Global Standards and Practices
• Regulatory Frameworks: Evaluating the effectiveness of current legislation in promoting ESG in all sectors.
• Unpacking Zimbabwe environmental laws e.g. SI 48 of 2025, Carbon Trading (General) Regulations etc.

Sustainable Finance: ESG investing, impact investing, green bonds, sustainable banking

• Green Finance and Investing: Opportunities and challenges in green finance and investing.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of investments in social and environmental projects.

Innovation and Technology:

• Clean tech, sustainable agriculture, digital solutions for ESG
• Sustainable Mining Practices: Innovations and technologies for minimizing environmental impact.
• Climate-Resilient Farming: Techniques for sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate change.
• Implementing waste reduction and recycling strategies & Innovations for energy efficiency in manufacturing processes.
• Decarbonizing the Supply Chain: Strategies for reducing carbon footprints in transport logistics.
• Renewable Energy Solutions: Unleashing Zimbabwe’s Potential
• Sustainable Network Solutions: Reducing energy consumption in telecommunications infrastructure.
• Sustainable Building materials: Exploring innovative materials and technologies that reduce environmental impact (using locally sourced, recycled or low carbon materials)

Responsible Tourism and Natural Resources Management

• Sustainable tourism Practices – Balancing tourism growth with environmental conservation
• Strategies to reduce environmental impact of travel.

2. Panel Discussion: Laying the Foundation for a National ESG Policy
3. Workshop: Integrating ESG into Business Strategy: Profiting from Sustainability, a Practical Approach.

• Discussing ways to embed ESG considerations into core business operations and decision making processes.
• How ESG Compliance can drive Investment and Economic Growth in Zimbabwe