PAFA launches forum to strengthen Africa's sustainability reporting

The Pan African Federation of Accountants convened an inaugural forum establishing a continental platform to coordinate Africa's response to global sustainability standards and inform IFRS standards adoption. The move signals coordinated emerging-market positioning on ESG disclosure relevant to Indian standard-setters navigating the same global frameworks.

The Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) convened an inaugural forum to advance sustainability and integrated reporting across Africa, establishing a continental platform to coordinate the continent's response to evolving global sustainability standards. Dr. Iheanyi Anyahara chairs the new Forum, which carries forward the work of the Africa Integrated Reporting Council, with Professor Mervyn King, former AIRC Chairman, as Chair Emeritus for institutional continuity. The platform informs the adoption and implementation of new IFRS standards across regions and aims to strengthen Africa's leadership in corporate disclosure.

African accountants, standard-setters, organisational governance bodies and reporting preparers are affected, as the Forum coordinates the continent's collective voice in global standard-setting. PAFA Chief Executive Alta Prinsloo emphasised the Forum will solidify Africa's contribution to global dialogue on environmental, social and governance issues. Deliberations focused on strengthening assurance quality, promoting integrated thinking within governance and decision-making, facilitating continental advocacy and partnerships, and addressing data readiness and capacity development across Africa as IFRS standards are adopted.

Stakeholders should engage with the Forum's adopted Terms of Reference and the approved Work Plan and Consultation Calendar guiding future operations. Strategic priorities will be executed through the linkage with PAFA's Sustainability Centre of Excellence via country engagements and technical capacity-building. Reporting entities should monitor the Forum's work on assurance quality, integrated thinking, data readiness and IFRS standards adoption to align with coordinated continental positioning in global sustainability disclosure.

Key figure — Governance continuity: Professor Mervyn King, former AIRC Chairman, serves as Forum Chair Emeritus