African Business and Human Rights Forum convenes 600+ leaders in Lusaka

**The 4th African Business and Human Rights Forum concluded on October 9, 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia, with over 600 participants committing to stronger remedy, reparations and human rights due diligence. The continental push toward corporate accountability signals expectations Indian firms operating in or trading with Africa should anticipate. **

The 4th African Business and Human Rights Forum concluded on October 9, 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia, convened by the UN Global Compact and the African Union and co-organised with partners including UNDP, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN Human Rights (OHCHR), the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and UNICEF. Over 600 participants committed to accelerating human rights standards across Africa's economy, aligning with the AU theme of justice through reparations. Discussions centred on strengthening frameworks for remedy and reparations for victims of corporate-related harms.

Business leaders, governments, civil society, indigenous peoples and national human rights institutions across Africa are affected by the push to translate policy into practical accountability and restorative justice. Two priority areas were improving legal and judicial capacity for victims' access to remedy, and accelerating human rights due diligence across corporate operations. Indian companies with operations, sourcing or investments in Africa should note the emphasis on aligning corporate practices with the African Continental Free Trade Area and the draft AU Business and Human Rights Policy as intra-Africa trade expands.

Indian firms operating in or trading with African markets should monitor the draft AU Business and Human Rights Policy and align due-diligence practices with the AfCFTA framework to manage rising accountability expectations. Companies should strengthen grievance and remedy mechanisms in anticipation of greater judicial capacity for victims of business-related harms. The UN Global Compact committed to equipping more African businesses by 2030 to uphold its Ten Principles, so entities should track the 2026-2030 global strategy for new compliance benchmarks.

Key figure — Forum participants: over 600 (concluded October 9, 2025, Lusaka)