AFRICA'S LEADING VOICES ON ETHICS, GOVERNANCE AND RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONVERGE IN TANZANIA FOR THE ABSA BEN-AFRICA CONFERENCE 2026

Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director, Obedi Laiser (centre), shakes hands with BEN-Africa President, Dr Bryan Robinson, during the closing ceremony of the two-day Absa BEN-Africa 2026 Conference, sponsored by Absa Bank, at the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) in Dar es Salaam. The conference was jointly organised by Absa Bank, BEN-Africa and the University of Dar es Salaam, focusing on the role of ethical principles in promoting sustainable business practices and economic development across Africa. On the left is Absa Bank Tanzania Director of Legal and Compliance, Alistides Kashasira.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | 6 November 2026 – The Absa Business Ethics Network of Africa (BEN-Africa) Conference 2026 concluded successfully at the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS), bringing together a diverse and influential gathering of scholars, business leaders, policymakers, regulators, students, development practitioners and ethics professionals from across Africa and beyond.

Hosted at the University of Dar es Salaam, in partnership with Absa Bank Tanzania and BEN-Africa, the two-day conference provided a vibrant platform for critical dialogue on ethical leadership, responsible business conduct and sustainable development under the theme: "Contrasting Perspectives on Business Ethics: Afrocentricity and Beyond."

Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director, Obedi Laiser, speaks during the closing ceremony of the two-day Absa BEN-Africa 2026 Conference, sponsored by the bank, at the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) in Dar es Salaam.

The conference attracted participants from numerous African countries, as well as delegates from Europe and the United States. Many attended in person, while others joined virtually through digital platforms, reflecting the growing international significance of discussions on Africa's contribution to global business ethics.

Opening the conference, Justice (Emeritus) Sivangilwa Sikalalilwa Mwangesi, Commissioner of the President's Office – Ethics Secretariat and Guest of Honour, challenged delegates to view ethics not as an obstacle to development but as its foundation, emphasising that sustainable prosperity, effective governance and public trust are inseparable from ethical leadership.

University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) Dean, Prof. Omari Mbura, speaks during the closing ceremony of the two-day Absa BEN-Africa 2026 Conference, sponsored by Absa Bank, at the UDBS Conference Hall in Dar es Salaam.

In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Absa Bank Tanzania, Paul Makanza, highlighted the importance of bringing together academia, business, government and civil society to collectively address the ethical challenges and opportunities shaping Africa's future.

Over the course of the two days, participants engaged in rich and thought-provoking discussions across a range of themes, including:

• Afrocentric and Western perspectives on business ethics.
• Profit, power and the future of responsible business.
• Sustainable economic growth and institutional accountability.
• Responsible entrepreneurship.
• Corporate citizenship and social impact.
• Ethics in tourism.
• Ubuntu and artificial intelligence.
• Governance in an increasingly interconnected world.

The conference featured renowned scholars, senior executives, regulators and thought leaders who brought diverse perspectives and practical experiences to the discussions.

Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director, Obedi Laiser (second left), shakes hands with the Commissioner of the Ethics Secretariat in the President's Office, retired Judge Sivangilwa Sikalalilwa Mwangesi, during the closing ceremony of the two-day Absa BEN-Africa 2026 Conference, sponsored by the bank, at the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) in Dar es Salaam. From left are Absa Group Senior Ethics Specialist, Moses Chisadza, and Absa Bank Tanzania Board Chairman, Paul Makanza.

Among the key themes emerging from the various panel sessions was the recognition that Africa possesses unique philosophical traditions and value systems capable of enriching global discourse on ethics and responsible leadership. Participants explored how concepts such as Ubuntu, collective responsibility, human dignity and stakeholder inclusivity can inform modern governance and business practices.

Delegates also engaged in robust discussions on the relationship between profitability and purpose, agreeing that sustainable success requires organisations to balance commercial objectives with social responsibility, environmental stewardship and ethical conduct.

The discussions further underscored the growing importance of ethical leadership in addressing emerging challenges such as technological disruption, artificial intelligence, climate change, inequality and evolving stakeholder expectations.

Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director, Obedi Laiser (seated centre), poses for a group photo with some of the bank's employees during the closing ceremony of the two-day Absa BEN-Africa 2026 Business Ethics Conference at the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) in Dar es Salaam.

Commenting on the success of the conference, Obedi S. Laiser, Managing Director of Absa Bank Tanzania, said:

"The quality of dialogue we have witnessed over the past two days has been exceptional. This conference has demonstrated that Africa has both the intellectual capacity and leadership required to shape global conversations on ethics, governance and responsible business. As Absa, we remain committed to supporting platforms that strengthen ethical leadership because we believe trust, integrity and accountability are essential for sustainable growth and shared prosperity."

Speaking on behalf of BEN-Africa, the conference organisers commended Tanzania for hosting a highly successful event and acknowledged the strong collaboration between Absa Bank Tanzania, the University of Dar es Salaam and the various stakeholders who contributed to the conference's success.

Dr Bryan Robinson, President of BEN-Africa, said:

"The 2026 BEN-Africa Conference has once again demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where diverse voices can engage in constructive dialogue on the ethical challenges and opportunities facing our continent. The richness of the discussions over these two days, spanning business, academia, public policy and civil society, reflects the growing recognition that ethical leadership is fundamental to Africa's development. We are particularly encouraged by the strong participation from across Africa and beyond, which highlights the increasing global relevance of African perspectives on business ethics."

The University of Dar es Salaam Business School, led by Prof. Omari Khalifa Mbura, also reaffirmed the critical role of higher learning institutions in developing future leaders capable of navigating the complex ethical challenges facing society, business and government.

Beyond the formal programme, the conference fostered meaningful networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants from different sectors, disciplines and geographical regions. Several delegates noted the value of creating stronger linkages between academic research, public policy and business practice in advancing ethical leadership across Africa.

As delegates departed, there was broad consensus that the conversations initiated during the conference should continue beyond the event itself and translate into practical action within institutions, businesses, governments and communities across the continent.

The 2026 BEN-Africa Conference concluded with a renewed commitment among delegates to champion integrity, accountability and responsible leadership as essential building blocks for Africa's sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

About Absa Bank Tanzania

Absa Bank Tanzania Limited is one of Tanzania's leading financial institutions, offering an integrated range of products and services across Corporate and Investment Banking, Business Banking, with solutions for SMEs, and Retail Banking. Backed by its 21-year legacy in Tanzania and inspired by the people it serves, Absa is committed to finding local solutions to uniquely local challenges. Everything the bank does is focused on bringing possibility to life.

Absa Bank Tanzania is part of Absa Group Limited, one of Africa's largest diversified financial services groups. Absa Group employs approximately 40,000 professionals operating in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as Ghana. The Group has representative offices in Nigeria, Namibia, London and New York, alongside insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.

Absa is a truly African brand, inspired by the people it serves and determined to be the financial services group Africa can be proud of.

For more information about Absa Bank Tanzania, its products and services, visit www.absa.co.tz.

About the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)

The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) is Tanzania's oldest public higher learning institution. Established in 1961, UDSM is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary university located at the Mwalimu Nyerere Main Campus in Dar es Salaam, alongside its constituent colleges, including DUCE and MUCE.

With a student population exceeding 35,000, the university advances economic, social and technological development through quality teaching, innovative research and public service under the motto "Hekima ni Uhuru" (Wisdom is Freedom).

The University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) is a leading business school in Africa and a leader in business education and research in Tanzania. Located at the UDSM Main Campus (Mlimani), UDBS fosters entrepreneurial job creators through quality undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, as well as consultancy services, under the motto "Knowledge for Management Excellence (KNOW ME)."

About BEN-Africa

BEN-Africa, or the Business Ethics Network of Africa, is a continent-wide network established in 1999 that promotes ethical leadership, responsible business conduct, good governance and thought leadership across Africa.

It brings together academics, business leaders, policymakers, regulators and civil society to exchange ideas and pursue practical solutions to the ethical challenges facing the continent.